S. 1736: Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025, aims to enhance the training and certification process for local food service personnel who work in schools. The key components of the bill include the following:

Training and Certification Requirements

The bill seeks to amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to specify that training programs for food service personnel must be:

• Scheduled during regular, paid working hours: Ensures that training is conducted when employees are being paid, making it easier for them to attend.
• Offered in-person, when appropriate: Provides an option for hands-on learning, which may be beneficial for certain types of training.
• Incorporate experiential learning: Focuses on practical, real-world scenarios to enhance understanding and skills.
• Provided at no cost: Ensures that food service personnel do not have to pay for training, removing any financial barrier to participation.

Training Outside Regular Working Hours

If a training program must be held outside of regular working hours, the bill requires that:

• Personnel are informed: Food service workers should be made aware of the necessity for scheduling the program outside of their regular hours.
• Consultation on scheduling: Workers should be consulted to find times that minimize disruption to their schedules.
• Compensation: Participants must be paid their regular hourly rate, including overtime, for attending training at these times.
• No penalties for non-attendance: Workers not able to attend should not face any discrimination or negative consequences.

Relationship to Other Laws

The bill clarifies that its stipulations do not override existing Federal, State, or local laws concerning employee-employer relationships. This means that any training requirements established by this bill will coexist with existing labor laws, ensuring that the rights of employees are preserved.

Overall Purpose

The overall goal of this legislation is to improve the training provided to school food service workers, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively while also respecting their rights as employees.

Relevant Companies

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