The state House of Representatives today passed HB 1295 by a
69-28 margin. The bill would create "breakfast after the bell"
programs in high-needs schools across the state, and is one of the WSPTA's top
5 priorities this session.
Republican Camas Rep. Liz Pike offered an amendment to
encourage school districts to give preference to breakfast foods that are
healthy, fresh and Washington-grown. Her amendment was accepted, and is now
incorporated into the bill.
HB 1295 would focus on schools where 70 percent of students
are eligible for the federal free and reduced price meal programs. To help
districts get started, the bill includes one-time start-up grants
of $6,000. The estimated cost of the program is about $2.3 million.
The bill now moves to the state Senate and the Senate Early
Learning & K-12 Education Committee for consideration.
The Senate includes a similar program in part 2 of SB 6244.
This bill doesn't specifically call out "breakfast after the
bell" but refers to "nutritional enhancements." It has yet
to be voted out of the Senate committee, and doesn't go as far as the House
version.
Marie Sullivan
Legislative
Consultant
Washington
State PTA
