DOVER — Delaware students facing financial hardship could soon receive school meal assistance, as the state Senate on Thursday provided unanimous final passage to a measure that now awaits Gov. John Carney’s signature.
The twice-substituted House Bill 125 was led by Rep. Rae Moore, D-Middletown, and Rep. Bryan Shupe, R-Milford, in the House of Representatives and in the Senate by Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, D-Wilmington. They introduced it to ensure that underprivileged students can receive proper nutrition for success in the classroom.
“You may recall discussions that we’ve had about the potential for providing universal school meals for all students in our public schools, as an ambition to ensure that we meet our moral and ethical obligation to provide our children in our schools with the basic necessities they need,” Sen. Lockman said Thursday.
“Including nutritious food (will) safeguard their well-being and make sure that they’re in a position to learn.”
The original version of the act, proposed by Rep. Moore in April 2023, would have provided free school breakfasts and lunches to all students, regardless of financial background.