What's happening
This bill requires public schools in New York City to provide lunch options that meet students' religious dietary restrictions upon request.
Why it matters
Addresses equity and inclusion. By requiring schools to accommodate religious dietary restrictions, the bill helps ensure that students of all faith backgrounds can fully participate in school meal programs without compromising their beliefs.
Reduces social and academic barriers. Students who previously may have skipped meals or felt excluded due to lack of suitable options will have improved access to nutrition, which is linked to better concentration and academic performance.
Places new operational requirements on schools. Schools will need to identify students with dietary needs, coordinate meal planning, and potentially train staff or adjust vendor contracts, which may require additional resources and administrative effort.
Sets a potential precedent for broader accommodation. The bill’s passage could lead to similar dietary inclusion efforts in other large cities or even at the state level, expanding the conversation around public institutions meeting diverse needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Religious Food in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Religious Food Options
In Senate Committee · New York City Education · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4318
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN, VANEL, D. ROSENTHAL, ROZIC -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. SIMOTAS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring public schools in any city with a population over one million to offer food options during lunch
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 915-a to read as follows:
§ 915-a. Food options. In any city having over one million inhabitants, any public school that has students practicing a religious faith with specific dietary restrictions shall offer food options which meet such dietary restrictions upon the students' request.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08551-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.