A new Maine law is designed to require that students are fed a meal whether or not they are able to pay.
The new law to stop "food shaming" would take effect in time for the upcoming school year. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills recently signed the bill into law.
House Democrats say the bill "prohibits punishing, openly identifying or stigmatizing a student who cannot pay or who has payments due." The Legislature estimates the mandate will have an unknown, "significant cost" statewide for Maine public schools.
The bill also requires that communication about payment for meals take place with parents or guardians and not with students.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
