A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Healthy Meal Time Act of 2026. It requires the creation of a special task force to develop best practices for schools participating in the national school lunch program. These best practices will focus on when lunches are served, when recess is offered, and how long lunch periods last. The task force must review research, consider the time students spend waiting in line or walking to lunch, and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for seated eating time. Once these best practices are reported, the government will issue guidance based on them to schools.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The legislation establishes a task force to improve school lunch durations and recess schedules to benefit student health and nutrition.
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
The bill focuses on ensuring adequate seated eating time and optimal recess scheduling for students participating in the national school lunch program.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill establishes a federal task force to develop best practices for school meal and recess times, supporting public school student health and nutrition.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better Meal Times and Recess for Students: Section 2, adding new section 27(a)(3)(A) to the Act, establishes a task force to create best practices for schools regarding the time of day lunches are served, the time of day recess is offered, and the duration of lunch periods to ensure student health and proper nutrition. This could benefit students by helping them get appropriate nutrition and better scheduling during the school day.
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Accounting for Lost Lunch Time: Section 2, adding new section 27(a)(3)(B)(ii) to the Act, requires the task force to consider the amount of time students spend doing things other than eating, such as traveling from class, waiting in line, getting utensils, and clearing trays. This is a positive step because it acknowledges that students lose valuable eating time to daily school logistics.
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Health-Based Eating Recommendations: Section 2, adding new section 27(a)(3)(B)(iii) to the Act, ensures that any recommended seated eating time follows the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations and includes adequate time to eat unprocessed and minimally processed foods. This could benefit student health by promoting better eating habits.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based strictly on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences, burdens, or penalties for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The legislation establishes a task force to improve school lunch durations and recess schedules to benefit student health and nutrition. Would students be better off under this? — The bill focuses on ensuring adequate seated eating time and optimal recess scheduling for students participating in the national school lunch program.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill establishes a federal task force to develop best practices for school meal and recess times, supporting public school student health and nutrition.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the creation and reporting of research-backed best practices for school lunch and recess periods to be issued as public guidance.
- 11/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon