Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026

(a) Definitions. In this section:

(1) Delinquent debt. The term delinquent debt means the debt owed by a parent or guardian of a child to a school—

(A) as of the effective date specified in section 2; and

(B) for meals served by the school under—

(i) the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773);

(ii) the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.); or

(iii) both of the programs described in clauses (i) and (ii).

(2) Program. The term program means the program established under subsection (b)(1).

(3) Secretary. The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.

(b) Reimbursement program

(1) Establishment. Not later than 60 days after the effective date specified in section 2, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall reimburse each school participating in a program described in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (a)(1)(B) for all delinquent debt.

(2) Form for reimbursement. To carry out the program, the Secretary shall design and distribute a form to State agencies to collect data on all delinquent debt in applicable schools in the State, grouped by school food authority.

(3) Completion date. The Secretary shall provide all reimbursements under the program not later than 180 days after the effective date specified in section 2.

(c) Report. Not later than 2 years after the effective date specified in section 2, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report that describes the successes and challenges of the program.