CHAPTER 54
An Act to amend and reenact § 22.1-79.7 of the Code of Virginia, relating to school meal debt; annual report.
[H 210]
Approved April 2, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 22.1-79.7 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 22.1-79.7 . School meal policies; donations.
A. Each local school board shall adopt policies that:
1. Prohibit school board employees from requiring a student who cannot pay for a meal at school or who owes a school meal debt to throw away or discard a meal after it has been served to him, do chores or other work to pay for such meals, or wear a wristband or hand stamp;
2. Require school board employees to direct any communication relating to a school meal debt to the student's parent. Such policy may permit such communication to be made by a letter addressed to the parent to be sent home with the student;
3. Prohibit the school board from filing a lawsuit against a student or the student's parent because the student cannot pay for a meal at school or owes a school meal debt; and