Universal free meals bills advance in Minnesota and Washington state

Universal free meals bills introduced in Minnesota and Washington state have advanced. 

The Minnesota House passed HF 5, which would use state funds to cover the cost of offering free daily breakfast and lunch to public school students. The bill was sent to the Senate and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. 

In Washington, the House Committee on Education has advanced HB 1238, which would offer all 1.1 million public school students free breakfast and lunch. The bill has been referred to the Appropriations Committee. A companion bill introduced in the state Senate has passed the Committee on Learning & K-12 Education and now heads to the Ways & Means Committee. 

Lawmakers in many states have introduced bills regarding universal free meals this legislative session, although one of the bills has already been killed. 

The School Nutrition Association and other food leaders have come out in support of offering universal free meals to students. 

See which states currently offer, or are considering, universal free meals via the map below: