The Committee on Children has raised the issue of school lunch debt in a public hearing yesterday.  Bethel Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan says no student should be shamed because of lack of resources, especially when it comes to something as basic as what they eat.  The committee is still accepting written comments and testimony via email. Testimony should include name and the bill number, S.B. 89.

The bill would prohibit disciplinary action against public school children who have unpaid school lunch bills. The proposal would also allow any public or private entities to pay off such debt.

Various school districts in the state have seen school lunch debts on the rise. For example, education officials in Norwalk said last year that they had noticed their schools were on track to accrue more debts than in previous years. It often happens when families who don’t qualify for free lunch can’t afford to pay for their child’s lunch.