Senate gives initial approval to Sen. Tipping bill to expand access to free milk in schools

AUGUSTA — On Monday, June 12, the Senate gave unanimous initial approval to a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono. LD 1128, “An Act to Address Student Hunger and Nutrition Through Expanded Access to Free Milk in Schools,” would require schools to provide the option for free milk for all students.

“The bill is a result of what I would call an ‘unintended consequence’ of Maine’s universal free school lunch program,” said Sen. Tipping. “This legislation would allow school lunches to be truly free for all, allowing families the peace of mind knowing that their children have full access to free, healthy, and nutritious meals. I am thankful to my colleagues for their support.”

LD 1128 would require public schools participating in the school lunch program to provide the option of free milk for all students, regardless of whether they receive a lunch through the program or bring their own lunch. It also would make a small appropriation to cover the cost to schools. This bill would establish the Free Milk Fund that would issue grants to eligible school administrations to reimburse the cost of providing milk to students.

The bill now faces further votes in the Senate and House.