All Roll Calls
Yes: 139 • No: 15
South CarolinaS 0425126th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-63-795 SO AS TO PROVIDE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNUALLY SHALL IDENTIFY THE NUMBER OF ITS STUDENTS WHO LIVE IN POVERTY AND INCREASE ACCESS TO FREE SCHOOL BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES FOR THESE STUDENTS, TO PROVIDE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SCHOOLS, AND SCHOOL BOARDS, AND TO PROVIDE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE SUSPENDED IF CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING IS SUSPENDED OR DISCONTINUED.
Sponsored By: Tom Davis (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
School meals for students in poverty
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More free school meals for low-income students
Beginning May 8, 2025, each school district counts how many students live in poverty using the state budget’s Aide to Classrooms data. Students counted include those on Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and students who are homeless, transient, or in foster care. Districts must expand access to free school breakfast and lunch for these students. If every school in a district qualifies for the federal community eligibility program, the board must vote in public on taking part, post the resolution with the proposed budget, and a majority must approve; it may decline only if it proves a financial hardship. Districts must send parents the free or reduced‑price meal forms with instructions and help families fill them out when asked. These board vote rules pause if the federal community eligibility program is ended or suspended.
Schools cannot punish kids for meal debt
Beginning May 8, 2025, schools cannot shame or punish a student for meal debt. They may not deny meals, give an alternate meal, throw away a served meal, or make the student do chores. They may not block clubs, sports, graduation, diplomas, or transcripts over meal debt. Only a parent or guardian can be contacted about the debt, and notices can be sent home with the student.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Tom Davis
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Tameika Isaac Devine
Democrat • Senate
Jason Elliott
Republican • Senate
Greg Hembree
Republican • Senate
Darrell Jackson
Democrat • Senate
Russell L. Ott
Democrat • Senate
Luke A. Rankin
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/30/2025
(School meals for students in poverty)Passage of Bill
Yes: 94 • No: 15
Senate vote • 4/1/2025
(School meals for students in poverty)2nd Reading
Yes: 45 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 23
5/16/2025legislatureEffective date 05/08/25
5/16/2025legislatureSigned By Governor
5/8/2025GovernorRatified R 39
5/6/2025legislatureRead third time and enrolled
5/1/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-94 Nays-15
4/30/2025HouseRead second time
4/30/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
4/29/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs
4/3/2025HouseIntroduced and read first time
4/3/2025HouseRead third time and sent to House
4/2/2025SenateRoll call Ayes-45 Nays-0
4/1/2025SenateRead second time
4/1/2025SenateCommittee Amendment Adopted
4/1/2025SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education
3/26/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Education
3/5/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
3/5/2025Senate
Bill Text
Introduced
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