Section 18A:33-11 - Implementation of school breakfast program by districtIn implementing a school lunch program, pursuant to P.L.1974, c.53 (C.18A:33-4 et seq.), a school breakfast program, pursuant to P.L. 2003, c. 4 (C.18A:33-9 et seq.) or section 6 of P.L. 2022, c. 104 (C.18A:33-10.1), or a breakfast after the bell program, pursuant to section 1 of P.L. 2014, c. 66 (C.18A:33-11.1) or section 2 of P.L. 2018, c. 25 (C.18A:33-11.3), each school and school district shall:
a. publicize, to parents and students, the availability of the respective school meals program, as well as the various ways in which a student may qualify to receive subsidized school meals under the program, as provided by subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.1974, c.53 (C.18A:33-4) and subsection a. of section 12 of P.L. 2022, c. 104 (C.18A:33-14a);b. make every effort to ensure that students receiving subsidized school meals are not identified, by the student body, faculty, or staff, in a manner that is distinct from the manner in which students receiving unsubsidized school meals are identified as program participants. Such efforts shall include, but need not be limited to, the establishment of a neutral meal plan or voucher system that does not make a distinction between these two groups of students; andc. to the greatest extent practicable:(1) facilitate and expedite the prompt and accurate identification of categorically eligible students who may be certified to receive subsidized school meals without first submitting an application therefor, and, whenever an application is required to establish income eligibility for subsidized meals, encourage students and their families to submit a subsidized school meals application for that purpose;(2) facilitate and expedite the subsidized school meals application and income eligibility determination processes that are used, by the school or school district, to certify a student for subsidized school meals on the basis of income, and assist parents and guardians in completing the subsidized school meals application; and(3) encourage students who are neither categorically eligible nor income-eligible for subsidized school lunch or subsidized school breakfast to nonetheless participate in the school lunch program or school breakfast program, or both, as appropriate, on a paid and unsubsidized basis.Amended by L. 2023, c. 336,s. 3, eff. 1/16/2024.Amended by L. 2022, c. 104, s. 7, eff. 9/1/2023.Added by L. 2003, c. 4, s. 3, eff. 1/27/2003.