Maine lawmakers to vote on school 'food shaming' bill
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers will soon vote on a bill banning schools from "food shaming" students who can't pay or owe lunch money.
The Portland Press Herald reports the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee unanimously approved the bill Wednesday.
The bill would prevent schools from punishing or refusing meals, or identifying or stigmatizing students who cannot pay or owe money.
State Rep. Janice Dodge, who sponsored the bill, says some districts withhold meals, post lists of delinquent accounts or offer "lesser" meals to children.
Opponents say the bill will lead to an increase in school lunch debt.
A similar bill passed the committee and the full House in the last legislative term but never received a final vote.