SB-411
Agriculture & Food

Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a statewide online application system for families to access summer food benefits by 2027.
  • Requires school districts to provide meal applications in multiple languages and protect student privacy.
  • Mandates collaboration between Education and Social Services departments to maximize program participation.
  • Creates new protections to prevent discrimination against students receiving free meals.

Summary

Senator Pérez's Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025 directs California education and social services departments to develop a statewide online application system for the federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children program, which provides grocery benefits to students eligible for free and reduced-price school meals during summer months.

The legislation requires the State Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Social Services, to create a centralized website where families can submit program applications. The system must route completed applications to local educational agencies for eligibility determination, accommodate multiple languages, and maintain federal privacy standards. School districts and county superintendents must continue providing paper applications when federally required, while gaining the option to use alternative income verification forms developed by the education department.

The bill mandates that online meal program applications include links to related assistance programs, including CalFresh, healthcare coverage, WIC, and summer lunch programs. It preserves existing protections against identifying participating students through special serving lines, separate dining areas, or other means. Local agencies and school districts will receive state reimbursement for costs associated with implementing these new requirements.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Education
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Education
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB411 Pérez
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Human Services Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Human Services Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Human Services]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
David AlvarezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dawn AddisD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
David AlvarezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Dawn AddisD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Darshana PatelD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Bill Author

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Sasha Renee Perez
Sasha Renee PerezD
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/28/2025)

Latest Voting History

May 28, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
380240PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a statewide online application system for families to access summer food benefits by 2027.
  • Requires school districts to provide meal applications in multiple languages and protect student privacy.
  • Mandates collaboration between Education and Social Services departments to maximize program participation.
  • Creates new protections to prevent discrimination against students receiving free meals.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Sasha Renee Perez
Sasha Renee PerezD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Pérez's Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025 directs California education and social services departments to develop a statewide online application system for the federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children program, which provides grocery benefits to students eligible for free and reduced-price school meals during summer months.

The legislation requires the State Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Social Services, to create a centralized website where families can submit program applications. The system must route completed applications to local educational agencies for eligibility determination, accommodate multiple languages, and maintain federal privacy standards. School districts and county superintendents must continue providing paper applications when federally required, while gaining the option to use alternative income verification forms developed by the education department.

The bill mandates that online meal program applications include links to related assistance programs, including CalFresh, healthcare coverage, WIC, and summer lunch programs. It preserves existing protections against identifying participating students through special serving lines, separate dining areas, or other means. Local agencies and school districts will receive state reimbursement for costs associated with implementing these new requirements.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/28/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Education
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Education
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB411 Pérez
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Human Services Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Human Services Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Human Services]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

May 28, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
380240PASS

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
David AlvarezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Dawn AddisD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
David AlvarezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Dawn AddisD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Darshana PatelD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Bill Author