Free and reduced-price meals: gluten-free meals.

(1) Existing law provides for a school lunch program under which eligible pupils receive free or reduced-price meals. This bill would require school districts and county superintendents of schools to consider incorporating into the free or reduced-price meals application packet or notification of eligibility for the free or reduced-price meals program a notification and request for a gluten-free meal if a child qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals and the child has a statement from a licensed physician supporting a need for gluten-free meals, as specified. The bill would require school districts and county superintendents of schools to consider making meal substitutions for a child who does not meet the definition of disability pursuant to federal law but does have celiac disease, a wheat allergy, or a gluten intolerance and the child has provided a written statement to the school signed by a licensed physician identifying the child as having one of these conditions. By imposing additional requirements on school districts and county superintendents of schools, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. (3) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.