Requires schools to universally provide free meals to all students, regardless of whether students are federally eligible for free or reduced price meals.
This bill requires all New Jersey public and nonpublic schools participating in federal meal programs to provide free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, regardless of household income or federal eligibility status. It eliminates the current requirement for schools to verify family income or collect household data to determine meal eligibility. The policy change applies directly to all students in participating schools and replaces the existing income-based system with universal provision. The bill amends existing statutes to remove income verification requirements for meal eligibility under the National School Lunch Program and federal School Breakfast Program.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Jan 13, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
lower
3 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about A 3243
Scope: NJ
Hi! I can help you understand A 3243. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline