BISMARCK, N.D. (PNS) – North Dakota families facing hardships could see some relief from state lawmakers, with a bill that calls on the state to cover school meal expenses for all students over the next two years.

This week, the House Education Committee heard testimony on the bill. House Bill 1413 would set aside more than 80-million dollars in Legacy Funds to ensure each public-school student has access to free breakfasts and lunches through the school year. Supporters say it’s a response to increasing need, but also to help end lunch-debt shame for lower-income kids.

Krisanna Peterson, a parent and paraprofessional at Mandan High School, believes more families need this help than one might think.

School administrators also wonder if the state funding commitment would be sustainable. But Landis Larson of the North Dakota AFL-CIO, told the House committee that proposals like this can keep working families from falling off a financial cliff as they try to recover from the pandemic.

A committee vote on the measure could happen as early as next week. The sponsor says if it stalls, the state might be asked to study the issue so it doesn’t fall by the wayside.

Currently, nearly 30-thousand North Dakota students receive free and reduced-price school meals.