Minnesota bill wants to give reduced-price students free lunch

 Feb. 7—A bill in the Minnesota state legislature aims to help students whose families cannot afford to buy them lunch. The bill would expand the free lunch program by 61,500 students.

The 61,500 students some legislators want to add currently qualify for lunch at a reduced price. Supporters of the bill say it would ensure that low-income students have the nutrition they need to learn in school and are not refused a lunch when they cannot pay. But at a cost to the state of $4 million a year, the measure has sparked criticism that it relieves parents of responsibility.