Bill Text: VA HJR558 | 2021 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Student meal donation programs; baccalaureate public institution of higher education to establish.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-05 - Left in Rules [HJR558 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-HJR558-Prefiled.html
WHEREAS, the structure of campus dining programs at baccalaureate public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth results in unused meal swipes that go to waste each week or at the end of the academic term; and
WHEREAS, a survey by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia found that nearly one in 10 students at public institutions of higher education reported they are suffering from food insecurity; and
WHEREAS, recent changes in eligibility criteria for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have made it more difficult for college students to qualify for food assistance benefits; and
WHEREAS, factors contributing to student food insecurity at baccalaureate public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth include, but are not limited to, undergraduate financial aid loans not covering the full cost of tuition or living expenses, high meal plan prices, being unable to work due to class schedules, having to support family members financially, becoming unemployed, or losing financial support from other means due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, providing inclusive access to a meal share program and an accessible on-campus food bank at each baccalaureate public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth would help combat student hunger and allow students to focus on learning instead of how they will be able to afford their next meal; and
WHEREAS, baccalaureate public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth are service-oriented and community-minded and therefore have a collective responsibility to ensure that no student goes hungry or is unable to access nutritious foods during their learning experience at the institution; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That each baccalaureate public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth be requested to establish a student meal donation program by which any enrolled student who has purchased a meal plan may donate any meal on such plan to the program and any enrolled student with demonstrated food insecurity may apply to the program to redeem a donated meal at a meal plan-eligible on-campus dining location or food bank located on campus in accordance with applicable state health regulations.
Each baccalaureate public institution of higher education shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary and report of its progress in meeting the request of this resolution no later than November 30, 2021. The executive summary and report shall be submitted for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.
