What's happening
The bill requires New York public schools to offer Halal and Kosher lunch options if requested or if certain population thresholds are met.
Why it matters
Addresses food equity for religious students. By mandating Halal and Kosher lunch options based on student population or specific requests, the bill ensures Muslim and Jewish students have equitable access to school-provided meals that align with their dietary restrictions.
Supports inclusion and reduces stigma. Making culturally appropriate meals available can help students feel recognized and included, potentially reducing feelings of isolation or the need to bring separate meals from home.
Sets clear population thresholds and flexibility. The law sets a 10% threshold for Halal and a 2% threshold for Kosher options, but also allows for these meals if simply requested, making it responsive to both demographic needs and individual advocacy.
Could impact school operations and budgets. Schools and districts will need to assess their student body, adjust procurement, and possibly train staff or hire vendors, potentially affecting food service contracts and costs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Halal and Kosher Lunches
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1094
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. RAMOS, ADDABBO, PARKER, RIVERA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring certain public schools to offer Halal food options and Kosher 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 two new sections 915-a and 915-b to read as follows:
§ 915-a. Halal food options. Any school or school district where the board of education or trustees determine that such school or school district has a Muslim population greater than or equal to ten percent of the student body or where Halal food options are otherwise requested by relevant individuals or entities shall offer Halal food options during lunch.
§ 915-b. Kosher food options. Any school or school district where the board of education or trustees determine that such school or school district has a Jewish population greater than or equal to two percent of the student body or where Kosher food options are otherwise requested by relevant individuals or entities shall offer Kosher food options during lunch.
§ 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.
LBD03228-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring certain public schools to offer Halal food options and Kosher food options during lunch
Purpose
This bill requires public schools to offer Halal and Kosher food options to Muslim and Jewish student populations.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends the education law by a new Section 915-a, which requires any school or school district where the board of education or trustees determine that such school or school district has a Muslim population greater than or equal to ten percent of the student body or where Halal food options are otherwise requested by relevant individuals or entities shall offer Halal food options during lunch.
The education law is amended by also adding a new Section 915-b, which requires any school or school district where the board of education or trustees determine that such school or school district has a Jewish population greater than or equal to two percent of the student body or where Kosher food options are otherwise requested by relevant individ- uals or entities shall offer Kosher food options during lunch.
Section 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.
Justification
In a city with ethnic diversity such as New York City, the population of residents and children under Islamic and Jewish faith is rising. Over the last 10-20 years, we have seen higher increases of both Muslim and Jewish faiths in the suburbs and rural areas in New York State. Because of their religious dietary requirements, these students, who are attend- ing public schools in New York City, are restricted in what they can eat during lunch at school. In certain cases, students have to throw out non-halal and kosher lunches or often do not eat at all causing disruption in the learning process. Offering students options of Halal and Kosher food during lunch not only accommodates their dietary restriction but also enhances students' awareness and respect for diver- sity in cultures, religions, and ethnicities.
Legislative history
2023-24: S6338-A (Ramos) Referred to Education/ A10651 (Wallace) Referred to Education
2021-22: S828 (Ramos) Referred to Education
2019-20: S5195 (Ramos) Referred to Education/ A3811 (Ortiz) Referred to Education
2017-18: A.4750-A (Ortiz) Referred to Education
Fiscal impact
TBD
Effective date
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 implementa- tion of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made on or before such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.