Sec. 103. Demonstration program

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Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2026 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: In this subsection: The term college student means a student enrolled in an institution of higher education. The term demonstration program means the demonstration program established under paragraph (2). The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ). The term institution of higher education includes a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1002 )).

Pursuant to subsection (b), the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, shall establish a demonstration program under which the Secretary shall carry out demonstration projects in accordance with paragraph (3)— to decrease student food insecurity at institutions of higher education; and to reduce barriers to college students fully utilizing supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits at institutions of higher education available to college students and their families.

To carry out the demonstration program, the Secretary shall carry out demonstration projects that test the following new supplemental nutrition assistance program delivery methods: Allowing a college student receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits— to use those benefits to purchase prepared foods from a campus dining hall, on-campus store, or other on-campus merchant or provider that typically sells prepared meals and participates in the student meal program at the institution of higher education at which the student is enrolled; and to be exempt from requirements to purchase a campus meal plan as part of the attendance of the college student at the institution of higher education.

Allowing a college student to use an EBT card or a campus-specific card at any of the locations described in subparagraph (A)(i) or a retailer authorized under section 9. The Secretary shall carry out not more than 10 demonstration projects under the demonstration program simultaneously. The Secretary shall carry out not more than 1 demonstration project under the demonstration program at any single institution of higher education. In selecting an institution of higher education at which to carry out a demonstration project, the Secretary shall give priority to an institution of higher education— at which not less than 25 percent of enrolled students are students that are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq. ); or that is described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) ).

The Secretary shall establish criteria and parameters for selecting, operating, monitoring, and terminating each demonstration project under the demonstration program. The Secretary shall ensure that prices charged by food providers participating in a demonstration project under the demonstration program are comparable to prices charged by those food providers prior to participation. To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that the termination of a demonstration project under the demonstration program shall not cause sudden adverse changes, including a reduction of institutional financial aid or the elimination of benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, for students participating in the demonstration project.

The demonstration program shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the demonstration program is established. For the duration of the demonstration program, the Secretary shall, in collaboration with the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, conduct an annual evaluation of each demonstration project carried out under the demonstration program during the year covered by the evaluation, including an analysis of the extent to which the project is meeting the desired outcomes, which include reduction in food insecurity and improved academic performance.

For the duration of the demonstration program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committees on Agriculture and Education and Labor of the House of Representatives an annual report that includes— a description of each demonstration project carried out under the demonstration program during the year covered by the report; the evaluation conducted under paragraph (9); and recommendations for legislation to improve the supplemental nutrition assistance program to better serve college students.

Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may, as may be necessary solely to carry out the demonstration program— waive any provision under this Act, including— the requirement relating to local sales tax under section 4(a); requirements relating to the issuance and use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under section 7; and requirements for approval of retail food stores under section 9; and modify the definitions under this Act for the purposes of the demonstration program, including the definitions of the terms food , household , and retail food store under section 3.

The Secretary may not waive a provision or modify a definition under subparagraph

(A)if the waiver or modification will— cause increased difficulty for any household to apply for or access supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; or reduce the value of those benefits for any household. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection. .

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Sec. 103

Demonstration program

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