1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education finance; creating a pilot project to provide school meals to 
1.3 	students attending online school programs; requiring a report; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; SCHOOL MEALS FOR ONLINE STUDENTS.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sum indicated in this section is 
1.7 	appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal year 
1.8 	designated.
1.9 		Subd. 2.Online student school meals pilot program. (a) For grants for a pilot program 
1.10 	providing school meals for students attending online school programs according to section 
1.11 	1:

1.12		$
	.......
	.....
	2025
	
1.13 	(b) A school district or charter school operating an online learning program may apply 
1.14 	for a grant to partner with an established nonprofit provider of meals to provide free school 
1.15 	meals to its online students in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The 
1.16 	commissioner must award at least one grant to a program serving students living primarily 
1.17 	in greater Minnesota and at least one grant to a program serving students living primarily 
1.18 	in the metropolitan area.
1.19 	(c) A grantee must provide free meals to students enrolled in the school's online program. 
1.20 	The meals must be ready-to-eat or require minimal preparation. The grantee may distribute 
1.21 	the meals on a weekly schedule or other schedule approved by the commissioner. The meals 
1.22 	may be distributed from central or regional locations.
2.1 	(d) A school district or charter school receiving a grant under this section must report 
2.2 	the number of meals provided to each online student to the commissioner of education. By 
2.3 	January 15 of each fiscal year, the commissioner of education must report to the chairs and 
2.4 	ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten 
2.5 	through grade 12 education on the number of grants awarded, the number of online students 
2.6 	receiving school meals from the pilot program, and a summary of the types of food delivered 
2.7 	to the online students. By January 15, 2026, the commissioner must make recommendations 
2.8 	about expanding the program and suggest ways to increase the efficiency of delivery of 
2.9 	meals to online students.
2.10 	(e) Up to five percent of the appropriation may be retained for grant management.
2.11 	(f) This appropriation does not cancel but is available until June 30, 2026.