H.R. 8798

Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026

Sponsor: Ilhan Omar

103 cosponsors
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I School Breakfast Program

II School Lunch Program

III Elementary and Secondary Education Data

IV Amendments to Other Programs and Laws

Sec. 409. Juvenile justice and delinquency prevention

Section 252(i) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (34 U.S.C. 11162(i)) is amended to read as follows:

Text this section adds to the law

(i) Free school lunches for incarcerated juveniles

(1) In general. A juvenile who is incarcerated in an eligible juvenile detention center is eligible to receive free lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).

(2) Guidance. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall provide guidance to States relating to the options for school food authorities in the States to apply for reimbursement for free lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) for juveniles who are incarcerated.

(3) Eligible juvenile detention center defined. In this subsection, the term eligible juvenile detention center does not include any private, for-profit detention center.