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H.R. 1139House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Feeding Homeless Youth During COVID–19 Act

Sponsored by Pramila JayapalRep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)
Introduced February 18, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 10:45 PM UTC

The Feeding Homeless Youth During COVID‑19 Act directs the USDA to reimburse emergency shelters for meals and nutritional supplements provided to homeless individuals under age 25 during the COVID‑19 public health emergency. It expands existing school‑lunch program funding so that shelters can receive payments for feeding these at‑risk youth. The bill mainly affects youth under 25 who are staying in or receiving assistance from emergency shelters, and the shelters themselves that serve them.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Agriculture must reimburse emergency shelters for meals and supplements served to individuals under 25 who are receiving assistance during the COVID‑19 emergency.
  • Reimbursement applies to shelters covered under sections 17(r) and 17(t) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.
  • The bill defines “emergency shelter” as per the National School Lunch Act and clarifies that “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Agriculture.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Education and Workforce Committee

February 18, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 18, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Education and Workforce Committee

February 18, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 18, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1139

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 18, 2021

Ms. Jayapal (for herself and Ms. Stefanik) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

A BILL

To reimburse meals and supplements provided to individuals who have not attained the age of 25 under certain meal programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Feeding Homeless Youth During COVID–19 Act.

2.

Meals and supplements reimbursements for individuals who have not attained the age of 25

(a)

Program for at-Risk school children

Beginning on the date of enactment of this section, notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A) of section 17(r) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(r)), during the COVID–19 public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), the Secretary shall reimburse institutions that are emergency shelters under such section 17(r) (42 U.S.C. 1766(r)) for meals and supplements served to individuals who, at the time of such service—

(1)

have not attained the age of 25; and

(2)

are receiving assistance, including non-residential assistance, from such emergency shelter.

(b)

Participation by emergency shelters

Beginning on the date of enactment of this section, notwithstanding paragraph (5)(A) of section 17(t) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(t)), during the COVID–19 public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), the Secretary shall reimburse emergency shelters under such section 17(t) (42 U.S.C. 1766(t)) for meals and supplements served to individuals who, at the time of such service have not attained the age of 25.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Emergency shelter

The term emergency shelter has the meaning given the term under section 17(t)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(t)(1)).

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.