To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make lunches free for all children and to reimburse school meal delinquent debt, and for other purposes.

H.R. 7542 would amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to provide free lunches to all school children, regardless of family income. Currently, school lunch programs offer free or reduced-price meals only to students from low-income families who meet eligibility requirements. This bill would expand that benefit to all students.

The bill would also address existing school meal debt by reimbursing schools for unpaid lunch balances. Many school districts carry significant debt from families unable to pay for meals. If enacted, this legislation would eliminate that accumulated debt and ensure no student goes without lunch due to inability to pay.

The bill was introduced in February 2026 and is currently under committee consideration. It has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.