District Of Columbia § 38-822.03 - Additional requirements for public school meals.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 38-822.03 — Additional requirements for public school meals., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 38-822.03. Additional requirements for public school meals.
38-822.03Public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools shall offer free breakfast to all students.
If more than 40% of the students at a school qualify for free or reduced-price meals:
A public elementary school, public charter elementary school, and participating private elementary school shall offer breakfast in the classroom each day;
A public middle and high school, public charter middle and high school, and participating private middle and high school shall offer alternative serving models, such as breakfast in the classroom or grab-and-go carts, in one or more locations with high student traffic, other than the cafeteria, each day to increase breakfast participation; and
The requirements of this paragraph shall not apply to a public school or a public charter school in which the school’s current breakfast participation rate, without breakfast-in-the-classroom, exceeds 75% of its average daily attendance.
Public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools shall:
Not charge students for meals if the students qualify for reduced-price meals;
Provide meals that meet the dietary needs of children with diagnosed medical conditions as required by a physician;
Solicit input from students, faculty, and parents, through taste tests, comment boxes, surveys, a student nutrition advisory council, or other means, regarding nutritious meals that appeal to students;
Promote healthy eating to students, faculty, staff, and parents;
Provide at least 30 minutes for students to eat lunch and sufficient time during the lunch period for every student to pass through the food service line; and
Participate in federal nutritional and commodity foods programs whenever possible.
Public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools shall make cold, filtered water available free to students, through water fountains or other means, when meals are served to students in public schools, public charter schools, and participating private schools.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 38-822.03
What does D.C. Code § 38-822.03 cover?
Section 38-822.03 ("Additional requirements for public school meals.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 38-822.03?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 38-822.03" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 38-822.03 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.