Expansion of summer electronic benefits transfer for children program

Section 13A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1762) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting and school closure period, as applicable, after for each summer; and(B)in paragraph (2)—(i)by inserting and school closure periods, as applicable, after summer months; and(ii)by striking the period at the end and inserting or during a school closure period.;(2)in subsection (b)—(A)in paragraph (2)—(i)in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting for summer months or a school closure period, as applicable after pursuant to subsection (a);(ii)in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking be— and inserting be, for calendar year 2025 and each year thereafter, in an amount that is not less than the value of breakfast, lunch, and a snack at the free rate for each day of such summer months or school closure period; and; and (iii)by striking clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A).(B)in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting or a school closure period, as applicable after summer months;(3)in subsection (c)(1)(A)—(A)by inserting or a school closure period, as applicable after with respect to summer; and(B)by inserting or the instructional year in which the school closure period begins, as applicable, before or during; (4)in subsection (d)—(A)by striking The Secretary and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

The Secretary

;

(B)by striking an amount equal to 50 percent of and inserting , for ;(C)by striking the period at the end and inserting , an amount calculated in accordance with paragraph (2).; and(D)by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Calculation

The amount to be paid by the Secretary to each State agency and covered Indian Tribal organization for the administrative expenses described in paragraph (1) shall be equal to—(A)for fiscal year 2026, 100 percent of such expenses;(B)for fiscal year 2027, 90 percent of such expenses;(C)for fiscal year 2028, 80 percent of such expenses;(D)for fiscal year 2029, 70 percent of such expenses;(E)for fiscal year 2030, 60 percent of such expenses; and(F)for fiscal year 2031 and each fiscal year thereafter, 50 percent of such expenses.

;

(5)in subsection (h)—(A)in paragraph (2)—(i)in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or school closure period, as applicable after summer; (ii)in subparagraph (A)—(I)by striking or during and inserting , during; and(II)by inserting , or during the calendar year in which such school closure period began after operational period;(iii)in subparagraph (B)—(I)in clause (i)—(aa)by striking and at the end and inserting or; and (bb)by striking

(i)

enrolled and inserting or during the calendar year in which such school closure period began, enrolled; and(II)by striking clause (ii); (B)by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and(C)by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

(4)

Free rate

The term free rate has the meaning given the term in section 1101(j)(4) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (7 U.S.C. 2011 note). (5)

School closure period

The term school closure period means a period in which an elementary school or secondary school is closed, operating remotely, or operating in a hybrid manner for 5 or more consecutive weekdays during a calendar year.

; and

(6)by adding at the end the following:

(i)

Implementation grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall carry out a program to make grants to States to support the development of data systems or upgrades to existing data systems that are necessary to implement this section. (2)

Funding

Subject to the availability of appropriations provided in advance in an appropriations Act specifically for the purpose of carrying out this section, and in addition to such appropriations, on October 1, 2025, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $50,000,000, to remain available until expended.