School nutrition: guardian meal reimbursement.

Senator McNerney's proposal to reimburse summer meal program operators for providing meals to guardians of eligible students would establish a new state-funded initiative within California's existing summer nutrition framework. The measure creates a voluntary program allowing summer meal sites to serve meals to parents, grandparents, and other adult caregivers who accompany children participating in federal summer food programs.

The Department of Education would develop operational guidelines and manage reimbursements to participating meal sites, with rates matching federal school meal programs and adjusting annually for inflation. To receive reimbursement, program operators must verify guardian presence at meal sites and submit participation data within 30 days of concluding summer operations. The department would also distribute information about the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program to families eligible for summer meals.

Implementation depends on dedicated state appropriations from California's General Fund, separate from constitutionally-required education funding minimums. When appropriated funds cannot cover all guardian meals, the program prioritizes reimbursements for caregivers under age 22 and those accompanying students at sites in census tracts where over 50 percent of pupils live in poverty. The department must seek any necessary federal waivers to secure additional reimbursement for guardian meals.