students; unpaid school meal fees

SB 1637 prevents Arizona public schools from shaming, treating differently, or serving different meals to students whose parents haven’t paid school meal fees. It requires schools to provide all students with the same meals meeting federal nutrition standards, regardless of fee status, and prohibits staff from taking disciplinary action (like denying or delaying meals) for unpaid fees. The law explicitly allows schools to serve alternative meals for dietary or religious needs, separate from the fee policy. This directly affects students in Arizona public schools and ensures meal access remains equitable.