HB566 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes KitchensSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Schools, public K-12, nutrition, allowing schools to donate surplus, non-expired food to charitable organizations, purpose of redistributing food to needy students

Summary

HB566 allows public K-12 schools in Alabama to donate surplus non-expired food to charitable organizations to feed needy students participating in federal school nutrition programs.

What This Bill Does

Local boards may let schools donate surplus non-expired food to a charitable organization affiliated with the school, for redistribution to needy students in the federal nutrition programs. Donations must follow federal and state safety rules and can be received, stored, and distributed at the school. Donated food may be consumed at the school or taken off campus, with school staff allowed to help prepare or hand out the food as volunteers. The act enables policies to provide donated food at no cost to eligible students and requires the State Department of Education to issue implementing rules.

Who It Affects

• Needy students eligible for free or reduced meals may receive donated food at no cost and may transport it off campus.
• Public school districts, school staff (including teachers, counselors, and support staff), and affiliated charitable organizations may donate, handle, and distribute surplus food under safety rules, with liability protections.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms: charitable organization, Department, food, and school.
• Allows local boards to authorize schools to donate surplus non-expired food to a charitable organization through an affiliated school official or parent.
• Donations may be received, stored, and distributed at the school; all applicable food safety requirements apply.
• Donations may be distributed at any time; school staff may assist as volunteers in preparing or distributing the food.
• Boards may adopt policies to provide donated food at no cost to eligible students and may allow off-site transport; consumption location not restricted to the school.
• Liability protections for schools and donors for good-faith donations, with exceptions for gross negligence or intentional misconduct; charitable organizations also protected.
• State Board of Education must adopt rules to implement the Act.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Schools