H*4005(Rat #0318, Act #0292 of 1992)  Joint Resolution, By J.J. Bailey, Harvin and 
D.N. Holt
 A Joint Resolution to require each public school district in the State to
 implement a nutritional, well-balanced school breakfast program by school year
 1993-94, and authorize the State Board of Education to grant a waiver of this
 requirement under certain conditions.-amended title

   05/15/91  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-132
   05/15/91  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works HJ-132
   02/05/92  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Education and Public Works HJ-10
   02/12/92  House  Debate adjourned until Thursday, February 13,
                     1992 HJ-21
   02/13/92  House  Debate interrupted HJ-13
   02/18/92  House  Amended HJ-8
   02/18/92  House  Read second time HJ-8
   02/19/92  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-16
   02/20/92  Senate Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference SJ-14
   02/26/92  Senate Special order SJ-12
   02/27/92  Senate Debate adjourned SJ-19
   03/03/92  Senate Debate adjourned SJ-19
   03/04/92  Senate Amended SJ-32
   03/04/92  Senate Read second time SJ-32
   03/04/92  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-32
   03/05/92  Senate Special order SJ-30
   03/12/92  Senate Read third time and returned to House with
                     amendments SJ-37
   03/17/92  House  Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ-4
   03/25/92         Ratified R 318
   03/26/92         Signed By Governor
   03/26/92         Effective date 03/26/92
   03/26/92         Act No. 292
   04/14/92         Copies available

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE TO IMPLEMENT A NUTRITIONAL, WELL-BALANCED SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM BY SCHOOL YEAR 1993-94, AND AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO GRANT A WAIVER OF THIS REQUIREMENT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Whereas, of those schools with a high percentage of children from low-income families only sixty-five percent offer breakfast, even though the federal government is willing to underwrite the cost; and

Whereas, studies show that hungry school children score lower on achievement tests, are tardy more often, and have more health problems than school children who begin the day with breakfast; and

Whereas, of South Carolina's seven hundred one "severe-need" schools - those in which at least forty percent of the students qualify for free or discounted lunches - one hundred twelve do not serve youngsters a morning meal and another one hundred eight schools have twenty-five to forty percent eligible students for meals, but do not serve breakfast; and

Whereas, the United States Department of Agriculture reimbursed schools in 1990-91 ninety cents for every free breakfast and sixty cents for discounted breakfasts; and

Whereas, through additional federal reimbursement for these meals it is estimated that an additional nine million, three hundred thousand dollars will be realized as additional revenue in this State; and

Whereas, in severe-need schools, the federal agency provides sufficient additional funds to guarantee that the breakfast programs break even; and

Whereas, there is no valid reason for South Carolina's public schools not to serve breakfast to qualifying students. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

School breakfast program required

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 59-63-765 of the 1976 Code, by school year 1993-94 each school district shall implement in each school in the district a nutritional, well-balanced school breakfast program.

Waivers may be granted

SECTION 2. The State Board of Education may grant a waiver of the requirements of Section 1 of this joint resolution to a school which lacks facilities or equipment to offer a school breakfast program and in which the acquisition of such equipment or facilities would cause an extreme hardship. Waivers may also be granted if participation in the program is too small to allow the program to be cost-effective or may create substantial scheduling difficulties. The waiver may be permanent or may be of a specified length of time as determined by the board. The State Board of Education shall promulgate those regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

Time effective

SECTION 3. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 26th day of March, 1992.