Rep. Omar Introduces Bill to Create Advisory Council on Unpaid Meal Debt

WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced the National Advisory Council on Unpaid Meal Debt Act, to establish a commission to address unpaid school meal debt in child nutrition programs. The National Advisory Council would make policy recommendations to tackle school meal debt, prevent stigmatization, and maintain program viability. The council would be composed of fourteen members, including state food service directors, experts, parents, and cafeteria employees, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. This legislation builds on Rep. Omar’s No Shame at School Act to prohibit school districts from publicly identifying and shaming students who are unable to pay for school meals or hiring debt collectors to recover unpaid school meal debt. 

“No child should be shamed or forced to go hungry at school,” said Rep. Omar. “Schools should be safe spaces where every child has the chance to thrive. I’m thrilled the National Advisory Council on Unpaid Meal Debt Act builds on our No Shame at School Act to provide recommendations to address unpaid school meal fees by ensuring students are not stigmatized at school. As a member of the Education and Labor Committee, I will continue to fight to end childhood hunger and improve access to meals to the most vulnerable.” 

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