H.R. 3217: Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025

The "Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025" aims to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to help address child hunger more effectively by expanding an existing program that provides electronic benefits to children during summer months. Here are the key provisions:

Expansion of Benefits

The bill proposes to extend the summer electronic benefits transfer program for children, ensuring that benefits can also be provided during school closure periods. This means that:

• Children eligible for free or reduced-price meals will receive benefits not just in the summer but also during times when schools are closed.
• The language in the existing law will be updated to specifically include "school closure period," which will help facilitate these benefits during times such as holiday breaks or other closures.

Funding Adjustments

The bill outlines a new funding structure for state agencies implementing these benefits. The Secretary of Agriculture will provide financial assistance to state agencies for administrative expenses needed to run the program. The funding structure will be phased:

• 100% funding for fiscal year 2026
• 90% for fiscal year 2027
• 80% for fiscal year 2028
• 70% for fiscal year 2029
• 60% for fiscal year 2030
• 50% for fiscal year 2031 and beyond

Definitions and New Terms

To clarify the program’s scope, the bill introduces definitions for:

• "School closure period," which refers to when schools are closed, operating remotely, or using a hybrid model for five or more consecutive weekdays.
• "Free rate," which is defined based on existing legislation regarding school meal programs.

Implementation Support

The bill also allows for grants to states to help them develop or upgrade data systems that are necessary for implementing the electronic benefits program effectively. This includes a dedicated fund of $50 million, which states can use to enhance their systems for better delivery of benefits.

Overall Purpose

The primary goal of the Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025 is to ensure that children do not go hungry during school breaks or closures by providing continued access to food resources, thereby addressing food insecurity in a targeted manner.

Relevant Companies

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