H.R. 10058: Summer Meals and Learning Act of 2026

This bill would create a new federal grant program to support summer early reading programs at schools that already serve free or low-cost lunches during the summer.

What the program is for

The bill is aimed at helping some schools keep their libraries open during the summer so students can keep using them while attending summer meal programs. The programs would need to run for at least 6 weeks and provide:

• access to the school library, and
• literacy activities or other expanded learning opportunities.

Which schools could qualify

To qualify, a school must already have a summer lunch program through either the federal Summer Food Service Program or the Seamless Summer Option. The bill also focuses on schools where at least half of the students in pre-K through grade 3 are either:

• already reading below grade level by grade 3, or
• considered at risk of reading below grade level by grade 3.

How the funding would work

The Secretary of Education would award competitive grants to state library administrative agencies. Those state agencies would then give out subgrants to eligible local school systems. The money would be used to help create and run the summer reading programs at the qualifying school lunch sites.

What states and school systems would have to do

States applying for grants would need to explain how they would choose recipients, how they would publicize the program, and what requirements they would set for the summer reading activities. They would also need to make sure that any school district receiving a subgrant provides a summer early reading program at each school lunch site it serves.

School districts applying for subgrants would need to provide information about:

• which summer lunch sites would participate,
• proof they meet the eligibility rules,
• a description of the reading program, and
• how community partners would be involved.

How the money could be used

School districts receiving subgrants would use the funds to work with community partners to:

• design and run the summer reading programs,
• carry out related activities and strategies, and
• hire and train appropriate staff to teach the programs during the summer.

Reporting and funding level

States and school districts that receive funds would have to send yearly progress reports to the Secretary of Education. The bill authorizes $5 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

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