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+ 2027 SESSION + + INTRODUCED + + + 26100751D SENATE BILL NO.
OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 1/22/2026 + + + + + + + + SENATE BILL NO.
97 I Offered January 14, 2026 N A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-409.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to institutions of higher T education;
97 + + AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE + + (Proposed by the Senate Committee on Education and Health + on January 22, 2026) + + (Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Roem) + A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-409.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to institutions of higher education;
R ————— O Patron—Roem ————— D Referred to Committee on Education and Health ————— U C Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
E § 23.1-409.2.
§ 23.1-409.2.
As used in this section, "eligible private institution of higher education" means a nonprofit private D institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate, graduate, or professional education and not to provide religious training or theological education.
As used in this section, "eligible private institution of higher education" means a nonprofit private institution of higher education whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate, graduate, or professional education and not to provide religious training or theological education.
The Program shall be managed by the Council and available for participation by public institutions S of higher education;
The Program shall be managed by the Council and available for participation by public institutions of higher education;
The Council 25 shall review applications from such institutions, and if an institution satisfies the criteria set out in subsection C, it shall receive a "Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry" designation and the Council shall award a grant to such institution.
The Council shall review applications from such institutions, and if an institution satisfies the criteria set out in subsection C, it shall receive a "Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry" designation and the Council shall award a grant to such institution.
An institution that receives a grant pursuant to this section shall utilize the funds to support on-campus efforts and initiatives to eliminate student food insecurity at such institution through the maintenance and operation of its food pantry and student meal credit sharing program established pursuant to subsection C.
An institution that receives a grant pursuant to this section shall utilize the funds to support on-campus efforts and initiatives to eliminate student food insecurity at such institution through the maintenance and operation of its food pantry and, if applicable, student meal credit sharing program established pursuant to subsection C.
C.
DRAFT OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 1/22/2026 C.
35 1.
1.
An on-campus food pantry or partner with a local food bank to provide information to students about 36 food services in the local area.
An on-campus food pantry or partner with a local food bank to provide information to students about food services in the local area.
All food provided from the on-campus food pantry shall be free of charge, and 37 no student shall be required to demonstrate food insecurity to access such pantry.
All food provided from the on-campus food pantry shall be free of charge, and no student shall be required to demonstrate food insecurity to access such pantry.
However, an institution 38 may require that an individual show a valid student identification card to access food from the on-campus / 39 food pantry;
However, an institution may require that an individual show a valid student identification card to access food from the on-campus food pantry;
A student meal credit sharing program, whereby students may voluntarily donate unused meal plan credits to be distributed for use by other students at campus dining halls or at its on-campus food pantry, or to be used to support its on-campus food pantry.
If such institution offers a meal swipe program or equivalent student meal swipe plan, a student meal credit sharing program, whereby students may voluntarily donate unused meal plan credits to be distributed for use by other students at campus dining halls or at its on-campus food pantry, or to be used to support its on-campus food pantry.
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