(a) There is a State Free Feeding Program.
(b) (1) Each year the State Superintendent shall determine the amount of State money required to provide the Program in accordance with the standards adopted by the State Board under this subtitle.
(2) The amount included for this Program in the annual State budget, including any federal funds, and as submitted to and appropriated by the General Assembly, shall be distributed to the county boards and participating nonpublic schools in the same manner as the process established under § 5–212 of this article.
(c) (1) A nonpublic school in the State that participates in the federal School Breakfast Program or the National School Lunch Program may participate in the State free feeding program.
(2) If a nonpublic school participates in the State free feeding program, the State shall be responsible for reimbursing the participating nonpublic school under subsection (d) of this section.
(d) The State shall be responsible for reimbursing a county board or a participating nonpublic school for the student share of the costs of:
(1) Breakfasts provided to all students eligible for a reduced price breakfast under the federal School Breakfast Program according to the following schedule:
(i) For fiscal year 2020, 10 cents per student;
(ii) For fiscal year 2021, 20 cents per student; and
(iii) For fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, the greater of 30 cents per student or the required federal per meal charge to students; and
(2) Lunches provided to all students eligible for a reduced price lunch under the National School Lunch Program according to the following schedule:
(i) For fiscal year 2020, 10 cents per student;
(ii) For fiscal year 2021, 20 cents per student;
(iii) For fiscal year 2022, 30 cents per student; and
(iv) For fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, the greater of 40 cents per student or the required federal per meal charge to students.
(e) (1) Beginning in fiscal year 2022, a county board or participating nonpublic school may not charge a student who is eligible for a reduced price breakfast for any portion of the cost of the meal.
(2) Beginning in fiscal year 2023, a county board or participating nonpublic school may not charge a student who is eligible for a reduced price lunch for any portion of the cost of the meal.