A bill to make school breakfast free for all Arkansas students has passed its first hurdle in a Senate committee. Senator Jonathan Dismang presented the bipartisan bill, which received unanimous approval after some discussion. The initiative, supported by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, aims to combat food insecurity by providing free breakfast to all students.
The bill will be funded by revenue from medical marijuana sales, previously allocated to hospital programs. Dismang emphasized the importance of ensuring students do not start their day on an empty stomach. Currently, school districts in Arkansas offer free meals based on income, but some families do not fill out the necessary forms.
The legislation was praised by Conway Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Collum, who called it a worthy cause. The bill aims to address the issue of accumulated lunch debt, which some students owe thousands of dollars. Dietitian Maegan Brown highlighted the financial strain this debt puts on the district.
The bill passed the committee unanimously and will now move to the full Senate for a vote. Supporters argue that if the state is willing to fund educational materials like books and computers, it should also provide essential meals for students. The initiative is seen as a step towards ensuring all students have access to a nutritious breakfast to set them up for a successful day of learning.
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