Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senate Education Chair M. Teresa Ruiz and Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, to ensure low income students have access to meals during the COVID-19 school closings, was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy. Senators Ruiz and Cunningham issued the following joint statement on the signing:
“One of the biggest concerns around closing the schools was the number of students who rely on free lunch and breakfast every day, at times as their primary source of nutrition. This measure will ensure districts are getting meals to as many students as possible throughout this public health crisis and providing vouchers to those they cannot reach. With so many households already living paycheck to paycheck, children need these meals now more than ever.”
The law requires school districts to provide meals to students enrolled in the free or reduced meal program during COVID-19 school closings and provides guidance as to how schools may distribute meals or meal vouchers.