School nutrition: guardian meal reimbursement.

Senator McNerney's proposal to expand California's summer meal programs would establish state reimbursement for meals served to guardians accompanying eligible students at summer meal sites. The reimbursement system, contingent upon state appropriation and federal authorization, would provide funding to summer meal program operators at rates matching federal school meal reimbursements, adjusted annually for inflation.

The California Department of Education would oversee the program's implementation, developing guidance for meal site operators and distributing information about the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program to eligible families. To receive reimbursement, guardians must be physically present at meal sites unless noncongregate feeding rules apply. Program operators would need to report guardian meal counts within 30 days after summer operations conclude.

The bill defines eligible guardians as parents, stepparents, grandparents, or other adult caretakers accompanying qualified students. If appropriated funds prove insufficient to cover all guardian meals, the program would prioritize reimbursements for guardians under age 22 and those caring for students at sites in census tracts where 50 percent or more of pupils live in poverty. Participation by summer meal program operators, including school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and nonprofit organizations, would remain voluntary.

Implementation would begin no earlier than one year after initial funding through the state's annual Budget Act. The Department of Education would have authority to pursue federal waivers if needed to secure additional reimbursement for guardian meals. All funding would come from California's General Fund, separate from constitutionally required education allocations.