Legis Daily

MEALS Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-3700| House 
| Updated: 6/4/2025
Suzanne Bonamici

Suzanne Bonamici

Democratic Representative

Oregon

Cosponsors (1)
Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "MEALS Act of 2025" amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to address the theft of summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits. It mandates that State agencies and covered Indian Tribal organizations participating in the summer EBT program replace benefits determined to have been stolen through fraudulent methods such as card skimming or card cloning . The Secretary of Agriculture is directed to issue ongoing guidance on effective security measures to detect and prevent such theft, considering industry standards and implementation feasibility for these entities. Furthermore, the Secretary must promulgate regulations requiring participating agencies to adopt appropriate security measures and establish procedures for benefit replacement within one year. This includes requiring a plan from agencies detailing timely claim submission, validation, and replacement, along with data reporting on theft and prevention measures. Benefit replacement for an eligible household is capped at the lesser of the stolen amount within the calendar year or the household's immediate prior benefit allotment. The bill also requires the Secretary to coordinate with various stakeholders, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General, to understand theft methods, establish prevention measures, and standardize reporting. Within two years, the Secretary must report to Congress on theft frequency and prevention actions. Additionally, the Comptroller General is tasked with submitting a report within two years, examining summer EBT payment system security risks, assessing USDA management and state/tribal risk management, and providing recommendations for improvement.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-6187
MEALS Act
Jun 4, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 4, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-6187
    MEALS Act


  • June 4, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 4, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Agriculture and Food

MEALS Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-3700| House 
| Updated: 6/4/2025
The "MEALS Act of 2025" amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to address the theft of summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits. It mandates that State agencies and covered Indian Tribal organizations participating in the summer EBT program replace benefits determined to have been stolen through fraudulent methods such as card skimming or card cloning . The Secretary of Agriculture is directed to issue ongoing guidance on effective security measures to detect and prevent such theft, considering industry standards and implementation feasibility for these entities. Furthermore, the Secretary must promulgate regulations requiring participating agencies to adopt appropriate security measures and establish procedures for benefit replacement within one year. This includes requiring a plan from agencies detailing timely claim submission, validation, and replacement, along with data reporting on theft and prevention measures. Benefit replacement for an eligible household is capped at the lesser of the stolen amount within the calendar year or the household's immediate prior benefit allotment. The bill also requires the Secretary to coordinate with various stakeholders, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General, to understand theft methods, establish prevention measures, and standardize reporting. Within two years, the Secretary must report to Congress on theft frequency and prevention actions. Additionally, the Comptroller General is tasked with submitting a report within two years, examining summer EBT payment system security risks, assessing USDA management and state/tribal risk management, and providing recommendations for improvement.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-6187
MEALS Act
Jun 4, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 4, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-6187
    MEALS Act


  • June 4, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 4, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Suzanne Bonamici

Suzanne Bonamici

Democratic Representative

Oregon

Cosponsors (1)
Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

Agriculture and Food

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted