WHEREAS, Studies by the Harvard University Medical School, the Abell
Foundation, and the University of Minnesota - Minnesota Department of Children,
Families, and Learning show that when an in-classroom breakfast program is
available to all children in a school, there is more time for instruction as there is:

1. A 50% decrease in disciplinary incidents;

2. A 75% decrease in tardiness; and

3. A 30% decrease in visits to the school nurse; and

WHEREAS, The Minnesota study also revealed that students who
participated in a breakfast program had increased percentile scores on standardized
tests in mathematics and reading; and

WHEREAS, It also has been shown that when all students, regardless of
economic status, are eligible to participate in a school breakfast program, there is an
increase in participation in the program, and that participation results in an
improved learning environment for all children; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Education

1-101.

(d) "County board" means the board of education of a county and includes the
New Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.

(f) "Department" means the State Department of Education.
7-701.

(a) The State Board shall require each county board to provide in each
elementary school a free and reduced price breakfast, unless the school is exempted
under § 7-702 of this subtitle.

(b) The free and reduced price breakfast required to be provided under this
section shall meet the standards of the United States Department of Agriculture.

7-702.

The State Superintendent shall exempt any elementary school from the
requirements of this subtitle if:

(1) (i) The school has made a breakfast program available for at least
3 consecutive months; and

(ii) The participation is less than 25 percent of the number of
students eligible for free and reduced price meals in each month;

(2) (i) The county board approves an alternative nutrition program
that the school has instituted;