Late-arriving children could still eat school breakfast under measure

The goal is to ensure that more students on free and reduced meals can eat breakfast

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Legislation that would allow school districts to set aside time for children to eat breakfast if they are late to school took another step forward on Tuesday as it passed the House Education Committee.

Senate Bill 151, sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, would allow the superintendent of a school district that participates in the Federal School Breakfast Program to authorize up to 15 minutes of the student attendance day to provide the opportunity for late-arriving children to eat breakfast during instructional time. 

Howell has said that children can arrive late to school because of bus delays, traffic jams, inclement weather, a flat tire or many other reasons, and shouldn’t be penalized due to a situation that is not their fault.

The goal is to ensure that more students on free and reduced meals can eat breakfast, supporters of the bill have stated.

During the vote, Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, noted, “It’s sad that we have to pass something like this,” and voted yes.

Upon the measure winning committee approval, Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, issued a statement expressing his pleasure with the bill advancing, especially since March 7-11 was National School Breakfast Week:

“Too many Kentucky kids are missing out on the most important meal of the day due to circumstances out of their control. By allowing schools the administrative flexibility to use up to 15 minutes for students to have breakfast in the classroom, such as while attendance is being taken, students won't miss out on a free meal or important instructional time and can be set up for more academic success.”

SB 151, which had passed the Senate 32-1 on Feb. 25, now heads to the House floor. If it wins approval there, the measure would then be headed to the governor’s desk for his signature