Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 5495 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5495

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to exclude certain military housing allowances from the calculation of household income, and for other purposes.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 24, 2026

Mr. Kim (for himself and Mr. Heinrich) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

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A BILL

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to exclude certain military housing allowances from the calculation of household income, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. EXCLUSION OF BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING FROM INCOME CALCULATION.

Section 9(b)(13) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(13)) is amended by striking ``on behalf of'' and all that follows through ``provision of law,''.

SEC. 3. REPORT ON DIRECT CERTIFICATION.

(a) In General.--Not later than October 1, 2026, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report on the feasibility and cost of establishing procedures under which children who are members of a household of a member of a uniformed service may be certified as eligible for free or reduced price lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and free or reduced price breakfasts under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) without further application. (b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) shall evaluate a range of options for implementing the direct certification described in that subsection, including-- (1) the use and sharing of data collected for the calculation of the basic needs allowance under section 402b of title 37, United States Code, and other assistance programs for members of a uniformed service; and (2) the exclusion of non-service member income from the calculation of household income under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.). <all>