88R14342 ANG-D     By: Bernal H.B. No. 4744       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to establishing a program to allow certain child-care   providers to provide free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch   meals.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 302.00437 to read as follows:          Sec. 302.00437.  EARLY CHILDHOOD BREAKFAST AND LUNCH GRANT   PROGRAM. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Child-care provider" means a day-care center or a   group day-care home licensed under Chapter 42, Human Resources   Code, or a family home registered under Chapter 42, Human Resources   Code.                (2)  "Eligible child" means a child who:                      (A)  is eligible for services from a federal Head   Start or Early Head Start program;                       (B)  receives subsidized child-care services; or                      (C)  except for the child's age, meets a   requirement of Section 29.153(b), Education Code.                (3)  "Eligible meal" means a breakfast or lunch that   meets the nutritional requirements for:                      (A)  the national school breakfast program as   provided by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. Section   1773); or                       (B)  the national school lunch program of free or   reduced-price lunches under 7 C.F.R. Section 210.10 or a successor   regulation.                (4)  "Program" means the early childhood breakfast and   lunch grant program established under this section.          (b)  The commission shall establish the early childhood   breakfast and lunch grant program to award grants to child-care   providers to provide eligible meals to eligible children for free   or at a reduced cost.           (c)  A child-care provider may elect to participate in the   program. A child-care provider participating in the program shall   offer eligible meals without charge or at a reduced cost to each   eligible enrolled child.          (d)  From funds appropriated for the purpose, the commission   shall provide grants to reimburse child-care providers that   participate in the program for costs related to providing meals   under Subsection (c) in an amount established by the commission   that ensures each participating child-care provider is able to   receive a grant.          (e)  The commission shall adopt rules to implement this   section, including rules regarding the eligibility criteria for   receiving a grant and the process for awarding a grant under this   section.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.