HB383 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cynthia Lee AlmondAlabama Public Service Commission

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Public institutions of higher education, Hunger-Free Campus designation created and provided for, Alabama Commission on Higher Education required to adopt rules

Summary

HB383 creates a Hunger-Free Campus designation for Alabama public colleges, with criteria, renewal rules, and required campus hunger programs.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) to set up a process to designate eligible public colleges and universities as Hunger-Free Campuses. Each designation would last two years and could be renewed if the institution meets the criteria. Campuses would implement hunger-related programs, including task forces, SNAP information, food pantries or pantry references, anti-hunger events, and student hunger surveys, with ACHE adopting rules to run the program.

Who It Affects

• Public colleges and universities in Alabama, which must create Hunger-Free Task Forces, provide hunger-related programs, and apply for and maintain the Hunger-Free Campus designation.
• Students enrolled at these public institutions, who would gain on-campus access to SNAP information and resources, food pantries or pantry referrals, meal voucher or donation programs, anti-hunger events, and opportunities to participate in hunger surveys.

Key Provisions

• ACHE must establish a process to designate eligible public institutions as Hunger-Free Campuses and set a two-year designation with the option to renew.
• Each designated campus must form a Hunger-Free Task Force with at least two student members, a student affairs representative, a financial aid representative, and other campus-selected members; the task force must meet at least three times per academic year and set goals related to hunger with action plans.
• A staff member must be designated to help students access SNAP benefits, and campuses must offer SNAP options on campus or provide information about nearby SNAP-accepting locations.
• Campuses must hold at least one anti-hunger awareness event per academic year and provide at least one on-campus food pantry or information about local pantries; they must also implement a meal credit donation program or provide free food vouchers.
• Each campus must conduct a student hunger and basic needs survey at least every two years, either directly or in partnership with a community organization.
• Designations are valid for two years; renewal requires meeting renewal criteria, with written notice and a 45-day period to correct or amend the renewal application; failure to renew means the campus cannot be designated, and it may not apply again until the following academic year.
• ACHE must adopt rules to administer the act.
• The act becomes effective on October 1, 2024.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education