MEALS Act of 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.