Contact:
Krysta West
Communications Director
Senate Republican Office
(207) 287-1505
krysta.west@legislature.maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA – Senator Joyce Maker (R-Washington) has introduced LD 1684, “An Act Forbidding Food Shaming, Food Denial and the Use of Food as Discipline Involving Any Child in Maine’s Public Schools.”

This bill, submitted at the request of the Maine Education Association, seeks to end the practice of punishing certain students for their inability to pay for a meal or refuse a meal as part of a disciplinary action.

“Studies show that missing meals and experiencing hunger can have a negative effect on academic performance and student behavior,” said Sen. Maker. “No child should ever have the threat of food denial held over his or her head or given a substitute meal because the family owes money or has no money for the meal. Hopefully, this legislation will help ensure that the nutritional needs of all Maine students are being met.”

LD 1684 has been referred to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee for consideration. The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 17 at 9:00 a.m. in Cross Building, Room 202.

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