Requiring eligible boards of education to consider participation in the community eligibility program, providing a financial hardship exception from such participation and requiring the state department of education to assist school districts seeking such participation.

SB 438 requires Kansas school districts with eligible students to consider joining the federal Community Eligibility Program (CEP), which allows schools to provide free meals to all students without individual applications. It directly affects school districts serving students qualifying for free meals under the National School Lunch Program. The bill mandates school boards to vote on CEP participation if no financial hardship is expected, or hold a public meeting to document hardship and opt out. The state education department must provide assistance to districts seeking CEP enrollment. This bill changes how districts access federal meal funding but does not alter eligibility for students.