Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 18A:33-21b1

  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Community Eligibility Provision: means a type of special assistance alternative, identified at 7 C. See New Jersey Statutes 18A:33-3.2
  • District: means a school district. See New Jersey Statutes 18A:1-1
  • Emergency meals distribution program: means the program, established under section 1 of P. See New Jersey Statutes 18A:33-3.2
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • National School Lunch Program: means the federal reimbursement program established under the "Richard B. See New Jersey Statutes 18A:33-3.2
  • School breakfast program: means a program that is established and operated by a public or nonpublic school, in accordance with the requirements of the federal School Breakfast Program and, in the case of a public school, in accordance with a plan adopted pursuant to section 2 of P. See New Jersey Statutes 18A:33-3.2
  • School lunch program: means a program that is established and operated by a school district, in accordance with the requirements of the National School Lunch Program and the provisions of section 1 of P. See New Jersey Statutes 18A:33-3.2
  • State: extends to and includes any State, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia and the Canal Zone. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
  • Student: means a child 18 years of age or younger who is enrolled at a school in the State. See New Jersey Statutes 18A:33-3.2
  • Summer meals program: means the Summer Food Service Program, the Seamless Summer Option authorized by 42 U. See New Jersey Statutes 18A:33-3.2
16. a. At the beginning of each school year, or upon initial enrollment, in the case of a student who enrolls during the school year, a school district shall provide each student’s parent or guardian with:

(1) a hard copy of information on the National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program, including, but not limited to, information on the availability of free or reduced price meals for eligible students, information on the application and determination processes that are used to certify eligible students for subsidized school meals, and information on the rights that are available to students and their families under this section and section 1 of P.L.2015, c.15 (C. 18A:33-21); and

(2) a hard copy of a school meals application form, as well as instructions for completing the application, and, as necessary, assistance in completing the application.

b. The school meals information and application provided to parents and guardians, pursuant to subsection a. of this section, shall:

(1) be communicated in a language that the parent or guardian understands;

(2) specify the limited purposes for which collected personal data may be used, as provided by subsection c. of this section;

(3) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2023, c.203); and

(4) include a notice that an application to apply for the school lunch and school breakfast programs may be submitted at any time during the school year and is required to be submitted annually.

The school district may also provide the information and application electronically, through the usual means by which the district electronically communicates with parents.

c. A school meals application that is completed by a parent or guardian shall be confidential, and shall not be used or shared by the student’s school or school district, except as may be necessary to:

(1) determine whether a student identified in the application is eligible for free or reduced price school meals;

(2) determine whether the school or school district is required, by section 2 of P.L.2018, c.25 (C. 18A:33-11.3) or by section 1 of P.L.2018, c.28 (C. 18A:33-24), to establish a breakfast after the bell program, or to participate as a sponsor or site in the federal Summer Meals Service Program;

(3) ensure that the school receives appropriate reimbursement, from the State and federal governments, for meals provided to eligible students, free of charge, through a school lunch program, a school breakfast program, a breakfast after the bell program, a summer meals program, or an emergency meals distribution program; and

(4) facilitate school aid determinations under the “School Funding Reform Act of 2008,” P.L.2007, c.260 (C. 18A:7F-43 et seq.).

d. The school district shall require the parent or guardian to either submit an application to apply for the school lunch and school breakfast programs or submit a signed card provided by the school district indicating that the parent or guardian has received the application and information and is not interested in participating in the school lunch and school breakfast programs. The card shall include a notice stating that a parent or guardian may submit an application to apply for the school lunch and school breakfast programs at any time during the school year.

If a school district does not receive an application or a signed card, the school district shall make at least one attempt to contact the student’s parent or guardian and request that the parent or guardian submit either an application or signed card.

e. The provisions of this section shall not apply in the case of a school which participates in the Community Eligibility Provision.

L.2022, c.104, s.16; amended 2023, c.203.