School MEALS Act of 2025

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 6795 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6795 To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve direct certification, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 17, 2025 Mrs. Hayes (for herself and Ms. Omar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve direct certification, 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 ``School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2025'' or the ``School MEALS Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. EXPANDING DIRECT CERTIFICATION. Section 9(b)(4)(F)(iii)(II)(bb) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(4)(F)(iii)(II)(bb)) is amended by inserting ``in not more than 3 school years'' after ``measures''. SEC. 3. DIRECT CERTIFICATION IMPROVEMENT GRANTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(16) Direct certification improvement grants and technical assistance.-- ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph: ``(i) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means-- ``(I) a State agency; and ``(II) a Tribal organization. ``(ii) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). ``(iii) Rate of direct certification.--The term `rate of direct certification' means the percentage of children eligible for d