Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-715: Hunger-Free Students' Bill of Rights Act - Definition

(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Hunger-Free Students' Bill of Rights Act". (b) As used in this section, "school" means a tax-supported kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) public school that participates in the United States Department of Agriculture National School Lunch Program. (c) A school shall not: (1) Provide a student requesting a meal or snack under this section a meal or snack that is different from the meal or snack being provided to other students in the school; or (2) Prevent a student from accessing the school's meal or snack services. (d) If a student owes money for a meal or snack that is in excess of the amount charged a student for five (5) lunches, or another amount as determined by the student's school district, a school may contact the parent or guardian of the student to: (1) Attempt collection of the owed money; and (2) Request that the parent or guardian apply for meal benefits in a federal or state child nutrition program. (e) If a student is unable to pay for a meal or snack or owes money for a meal or snack, a school shall not: (1) Require the student to wear a wristband; (2) Give the student a hand stamp; (3) Require the student to dispose of a meal or snack after the student is served the meal or snack; (4) Require the student to sit in a location separate from other students; (5) Publicly make known the name of the student; or (6) Perform any other action that may stigmatize the student. (f) (1) The Child Nutrition Unit shall: (A) Implement a system for reviewing the local practices of public school district food service programs to determine the support needed by public school districts; and (B) Provide model policies that public school districts may adopt. (2) The system of review established under subdivision (f)(1)(A) of this section shall address areas regarding without limitation: (A) Ideas, innovations, and best practices for providing meals to vulnerable populations that contribute to the health and well-being of public school students; (B) Resources and strategies for improving the nutritional quality and appeal of meals; (C) Tips for implementing best practices; (D) Methods for informing parents and legal guardians of a public school district's meal charge policies; and (E) Plans for recovering costs for meal charges. Added by Act 2019, No. 428,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019.

(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Hunger-Free Students' Bill of Rights Act".

(b) As used in this section, "school" means a tax-supported kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) public school that participates in the United States Department of Agriculture National School Lunch Program.

(c) A school shall not: (1) Provide a student requesting a meal or snack under this section a meal or snack that is different from the meal or snack being provided to other students in the school; or (2) Prevent a student from accessing the school's meal or snack services.

(1) Provide a student requesting a meal or snack under this section a meal or snack that is different from the meal or snack being provided to other students in the school; or

(2) Prevent a student from accessing the school's meal or snack services.

(d) If a student owes money for a meal or snack that is in excess of the amount charged a student for five (5) lunches, or another amount as determined by the student's school district, a school may contact the parent or guardian of the student to: (1) Attempt collection of the owed money; and (2) Request that the parent or guardian apply for meal benefits in a federal or state child nutrition program.

(1) Attempt collection of the owed money; and

(2) Request that the parent or guardian apply for meal benefits in a federal or state child nutrition program.

nt's school district, a school may contact the parent or guardian of the student to: (1) Attempt collection of the owed money; and (2) Request that the parent or guardian apply for meal benefits in a federal or state child nutrition program.

(1) Attempt collection of the owed money; and

(2) Request that the parent or guardian apply for meal benefits in a federal or state child nutrition program.

(e) If a student is unable to pay for a meal or snack or owes money for a meal or snack, a school shall not: (1) Require the student to wear a wristband; (2) Give the student a hand stamp; (3) Require the student to dispose of a meal or snack after the student is served the meal or snack; (4) Require the student to sit in a location separate from other students; (5) Publicly make known the name of the student; or (6) Perform any other action that may stigmatize the student.

(1) Require the student to wear a wristband;

(2) Give the student a hand stamp;

(3) Require the student to dispose of a meal or snack after the student is served the meal or snack;

(4) Require the student to sit in a location separate from other students;

(5) Publicly make known the name of the student; or

(6) Perform any other action that may stigmatize the student.

(f) (1) The Child Nutrition Unit shall: (A) Implement a system for reviewing the local practices of public school district food service programs to determine the support needed by public school districts; and (B) Provide model policies that public school districts may adopt. (2) The system of review established under subdivision (f)(1)(A) of this section shall address areas regarding without limitation: (A) Ideas, innovations, and best practices for providing meals to vulnerable populations that contribute to the health and well-being of public school students; (B) Resources and strategies for improving the nutritional quality and appeal of meals; (C) Tips for implementing best practices; (D) Methods for informing parents and legal guardians of a public school district's meal charge policies; and (E) Plans for recovering costs for meal charges.

(1) The Child Nutrition Unit shall: (A) Implement a system for reviewing the local practices of public school district food service programs to determine the support needed by public school districts; and (B) Provide model policies that public school districts may adopt.

(A) Implement a system for reviewing the local practices of public school district food service programs to determine the support needed by public school districts; and

(B) Provide model policies that public school districts may adopt.

(2) The system of review established under subdivision (f)(1)(A) of this section shall address areas regarding without limitation: (A) Ideas, innovations, and best practices for providing meals to vulnerable populations that contribute to the health and well-being of public school students; (B) Resources and strategies for improving the nutritional quality and appeal of meals; (C) Tips for implementing best practices; (D) Methods for informing parents and legal guardians of a public school district's meal charge policies; and (E) Plans for recovering costs for meal charges.

(A) Ideas, innovations, and best practices for providing meals to vulnerable populations that contribute to the health and well-being of public school students;

(B) Resources and strategies for improving the nutritional quality and appeal of meals;

(C) Tips for implementing best practices;

(D) Methods for informing parents and legal guardians of a public school district's meal charge policies; and

(E) Plans for recovering costs for meal charges.