Federal bill aims to increase healthcare access for contracted school nutrition employees

A new federal bill introduced in the House could make healthcare access easier for contracted school nutrition professionals.

Meanwhile, at the state level, more students in Massachusetts and Delaware will receive free meals when they return to school this fall.

Here’s the latest in school nutrition legislation.

Federal bill would make it easier for contracted employees to receive healthcare

Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) have introduced the Securing Continued Healthcare for Our Operations and Logistics (SCHOOL) Professionals Act which is intended to help contracted school nutrition employees and other school support staff have easier access to healthcare benefits.

Currently, employees who work for a private company that has contracted with a school must work a full 12 months to be considered full time and receive employee-sponsored healthcare benefits, while employees who are hired directly by the school are considered full-time after only nine months.

The SCHOOL Professionals act would make the amount of time needed to be considered full time and receive employee-sponsored healthcare the same for both contracted employees and those hired directly by schools.

“Every worker who dedicates their time and energy to our schools deserves access to affordable healthcare,” said Congressman Horsford, Co-Chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus, in a statement. “The SCHOOL Professionals Act will ensure that our school support staff are not left behind due to an outdated regulatory loophole. This is about fairness and ensuring that everyone who serves our students and schools receive the same benefits.” 

Massachusetts Governor ok’s universal free school meals for another year

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget bill into law which includes $170 million to continue providing universal free school meals to students this fall.

The state first began offering free meals to all public school students this past school year. Recent data released by the Healey-Driscoll Administration revealed that the free meals resulted in Massachusetts students eating a record number of meals at school.

Massachusetts is one of nine states that that has decided to continue offering universal free meals to students after the expiration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition waivers which allowed schools across the country to feed all kids for free during the height of the pandemic.

Delaware reduced-priced meal students to receive free school meals

Massachusetts is not the only state offering students expanded school meal access this upcoming school year. South Carolina and Delaware will cover meals for students who qualify for reduced-price meals this school year.

In Delaware, Governor John Carney has signed House Substitute 2 for HB 125 which will provide the meals. Originally, the bill would have provided free meals at school to all students, regardless of their family’s financial background. The original legislation was deemed too costly, however, and was substituted with the current bill earlier this year.

See which states currently offer universal free meals via the map below: