US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 1769c

Compliance and accountability

(a)

Unified accountability system

(1)

1
1 So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted.
  In general

42 U.S.C. 1773There shall be a unified system prescribed and administered by the Secretary to ensure that local food service authorities participating in the school lunch program established under this chapter and the school breakfast program established by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 () comply with those Acts, including compliance with—
(A)
section 1758(f) of this title the nutritional requirements of for school lunches; and
(B)
42 U.S.C. 1773(e)(1) as applicable, the nutritional requirements for school breakfasts under section 4(e)(1) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ().
(b)

Functions of system

(1)

In general

Under the system described in subsection (a), each State educational agency shall—
(A)
2
2 So in original. Probably means subpars. (A) and (B) of par. (1) of subsec. (a).
require that local food service authorities comply with the nutritional requirements described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1); 
(B)
to the maximum extent practicable, ensure compliance through reasonable audits and supervisory assistance reviews;
(C)
section 1758(f) of this title in conducting audits and reviews for the purpose of determining compliance with this chapter, including the nutritional requirements of —
(i)
conduct audits and reviews during a 3-year cycle or other period prescribed by the Secretary;
(ii)
select schools for review in each local educational agency using criteria established by the Secretary;
(iii)
report the final results of the reviews to the public in the State in an accessible, easily understood manner in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the Secretary; and
(iv)
submit to the Secretary each year a report containing the results of the reviews in accordance with procedures developed by the Secretary; and
(D)
when any local food service authority is reviewed under this section, ensure that the final results of the review by the State educational agency are posted and otherwise made available to the public on request in an accessible, easily understood manner in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the Secretary.
(2)

Minimization of additional duties

Each State educational agency shall coordinate the compliance and accountability activities described in paragraph (1) in a manner that minimizes the imposition of additional duties on local food service authorities.

(3)

Additional review requirement for selected local educational agencies

(A)

Definition of selected local educational agencies

In this paragraph, the term “selected local educational agency” means a local educational agency that has a demonstrated high level of, or a high risk for, administrative error, as determined by the Secretary.

(B)

Additional administrative review

In addition to any review required by subsection (a) or paragraph (1), each State educational agency shall conduct an administrative review of each selected local educational agency during the review cycle established under subsection (a).

(C)

Scope of review

In carrying out a review under subparagraph (B), a State educational agency shall only review the administrative processes of a selected local educational agency, including application, certification, verification, meal counting, and meal claiming procedures.

(D)

Results of review

If the State educational agency determines (on the basis of a review conducted under subparagraph (B)) that a selected local educational agency fails to meet performance criteria established by the Secretary, the State educational agency shall—
(i)
require the selected local educational agency to develop and carry out an approved plan of corrective action;
(ii)
except to the extent technical assistance is provided directly by the Secretary, provide technical assistance to assist the selected local educational agency in carrying out the corrective action plan; and
(iii)
conduct a followup review of the selected local educational agency under standards established by the Secretary.
(4)

Retaining funds after administrative reviews

(A)

In general

Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), if the local educational agency fails to meet administrative performance criteria established by the Secretary in both an initial review and a followup review under paragraph (1) or (3) or subsection (a), the Secretary may require the State educational agency to retain funds that would otherwise be paid to the local educational agency for school meals programs under procedures prescribed by the Secretary.

(B)

Amount

The amount of funds retained under subparagraph (A) shall equal the value of any overpayment made to the local educational agency or school food authority as a result of an erroneous claim during the time period described in subparagraph (C).

(C)

Time period

The period for determining the value of any overpayment under subparagraph (B) shall be the period—
(i)
beginning on the date the erroneous claim was made; and
(ii)
ending on the earlier of the date the erroneous claim is corrected or—
(I)
in the case of the first followup review conducted by the State educational agency of the local educational agency under this section after , the date that is 60 days after the beginning of the period under clause (i); or
(II)
in the case of any subsequent followup review conducted by the State educational agency of the local educational agency under this section, the date that is 90 days after the beginning of the period under clause (i).
(5)

Use of retained funds

(A)

In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), funds retained under paragraph (4) shall—
(i)
be returned to the Secretary, and may be used—
(I)
to provide training and technical assistance related to administrative practices designed to improve program integrity and administrative accuracy in school meals programs to State educational agencies and, to the extent determined by the Secretary, to local educational agencies and school food authorities;
(II)
to assist State educational agencies in reviewing the administrative practices of local educational agencies in carrying out school meals programs; and
(III)
section 1769b–1(f) of this title to carry out ; or
(ii)
be credited to the child nutrition programs appropriation account.
(B)

State share

A State educational agency may retain not more than 25 percent of an amount recovered under paragraph (4), to carry out school meals program integrity initiatives to assist local educational agencies and school food authorities that have repeatedly failed, as determined by the Secretary, to meet administrative performance criteria.

(C)

Requirement

To be eligible to retain funds under subparagraph (B), a State educational agency shall—
(i)
submit to the Secretary a plan describing how the State educational agency will use the funds to improve school meals program integrity, including measures to give priority to local educational agencies from which funds were retained under paragraph (4);
(ii)
consider using individuals who administer exemplary local food service programs in the provision of training and technical assistance; and
(iii)
obtain the approval of the Secretary for the plan.
(6)

Eligibility determination review for selected local educational agencies

(A)

In general

A local educational agency that has demonstrated a high level of, or a high risk for, administrative error associated with certification, verification, and other administrative processes, as determined by the Secretary, shall ensure that the initial eligibility determination for each application is reviewed for accuracy prior to notifying a household of the eligibility or ineligibility of the household for free or reduced price meals.

(B)

Timeliness

The review of initial eligibility determinations—
(i)
shall be completed in a timely manner; and
(ii)
shall not result in the delay of an eligibility determination for more than 10 operating days after the date on which the application is submitted.
(C)

Acceptable types of review

Subject to standards established by the Secretary, the system used to review eligibility determinations for accuracy shall be conducted by an individual or entity that did not make the initial eligibility determination.

(D)

Notification of household

Once the review of an eligibility determination has been completed under this paragraph, the household shall be notified immediately of the determination of eligibility or ineligibility for free or reduced price meals.

(E)

Reporting

(i)

Local educational agencies

In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary, each local educational agency required to review initial eligibility determinations shall submit to the relevant State agency a report describing the results of the reviews, including—
(I)
the number and percentage of reviewed applications for which the eligibility determination was changed and the type of change made; and
(II)
such other information as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(ii)

State agencies

In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary, each State agency shall submit to the Secretary a report describing the results of the reviews of initial eligibility determinations, including—
(I)
the number and percentage of reviewed applications for which the eligibility determination was changed and the type of change made; and
(II)
such other information as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(iii)

Transparency

The Secretary shall publish annually the results of the reviews of initial eligibility determinations by State, number, percentage, and type of error.

(c)

Role of Secretary

In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall—
(1)
assist the State educational agency in the monitoring of programs conducted by local food service authorities; and
(2)
through management evaluations, review the compliance of the State educational agency and the local school food service authorities with regulations issued under this chapter.
(d)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated for purposes of carrying out the compliance and accountability activities referred to in subsection (c) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015.

(e)

Fines for violating program requirements

(1)

School food authorities and schools

(A)

In general

42 U.S.C. 1771The Secretary shall establish criteria by which the Secretary or a State agency may impose a fine against any school food authority or school administering a program authorized under this chapter or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( et seq.) if the Secretary or the State agency determines that the school food authority or school has—
(i)
failed to correct severe mismanagement of the program;
(ii)
disregarded a program requirement of which the school food authority or school had been informed; or
(iii)
failed to correct repeated violations of program requirements.
(B)

Limits

(i)

In general

In calculating the fine for a school food authority or school, the Secretary shall base the amount of the fine on the reimbursement earned by school food authority or school for the program in which the violation occurred.

(ii)

Amount

The amount under clause (i) shall not exceed—
(I)
1 percent of the amount of meal reimbursements earned for the fiscal year for the first finding of 1 or more program violations under subparagraph (A);
(II)
5 percent of the amount of meal reimbursements earned for the fiscal year for the second finding of 1 or more program violations under subparagraph (A); and
(III)
10 percent of the amount of meal reimbursements earned for the fiscal year for the third or subsequent finding of 1 or more program violations under subparagraph (A).
(2)

State agencies

(A)

In general

42 U.S.C. 1771The Secretary shall establish criteria by which the Secretary may impose a fine against any State agency administering a program authorized under this chapter or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( et seq.) if the Secretary determines that the State agency has—
(i)
failed to correct severe mismanagement of the program;
(ii)
disregarded a program requirement of which the State had been informed; or
(iii)
failed to correct repeated violations of program requirements.
(B)

Limits

In the case of a State agency, the amount of a fine under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed—
(i)
42 U.S.C. 1776(a) 1 percent of funds made available under section 7(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 () for State administrative expenses during a fiscal year for the first finding of 1 or more program violations under subparagraph (A);
(ii)
42 U.S.C. 1776(a) 5 percent of funds made available under section 7(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 () for State administrative expenses during a fiscal year for the second finding of 1 or more program violations under subparagraph (A); and
(iii)
42 U.S.C. 1776(a) 10 percent of funds made available under section 7(a) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 () for State administrative expenses during a fiscal year for the third or subsequent finding of 1 or more program violations under subparagraph (A).
(3)

Source of funding

Funds to pay a fine imposed under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be derived from non-Federal sources.

June 4, 1946, ch. 281, § 22Pub. L. 101–147, title I, § 110(a)103 Stat. 889Pub. L. 103–448, title I, § 121108 Stat. 4727Pub. L. 105–336, title I, § 111112 Stat. 3157Pub. L. 108–265, title I118 Stat. 763Pub. L. 111–296, title II, § 207124 Stat. 3220(, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , §§ 126(b)(1), 127, , , 767; , title III, §§ 303, 304, title IV, § 408, , , 3240, 3242, 3260.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 89–64280 Stat. 885section 1771 of this titleThe Child Nutrition Act of 1966, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (e)(1)(A), (2)(A), is , , , which is classified generally to chapter 13A (§ 1771 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Those Acts, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), mean the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, which was in the original “this Act” and was translated to read “this chapter”, and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. See above.

Prior Provisions

act June 4, 1946, ch. 281, § 22Pub. L. 95–627, § 992 Stat. 3623Pub. L. 99–500, title III, § 371(b)100 Stat. 1783–368Pub. L. 99–591, title III, § 371(b)100 Stat. 3341–372Pub. L. 99–661, div. D, title V, § 4501(b)100 Stat. 4080A prior section 1769c, , as added , , , directed a study of menu choice, prior to repeal by , , , and , , ; , , .

Amendments

Pub. L. 111–296, § 207(1)section 553 of title 52010—Subsec. (a). , added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There shall be a unified system prescribed and administered by the Secretary for ensuring that local food service authorities that participate in the school lunch program under this chapter comply with the provisions of this chapter. Such system shall be established through the publication of regulations and the provision of an opportunity for public comment, consistent with the provisions of .”

Pub. L. 111–296, § 207(2)Subsec. (b)(1). , added subpars. (A) to (D) and struck out former subpars. (A) and (B) which read as follows:

“(A) require that local food service authorities comply with the provisions of this chapter; and

“(B) ensure such compliance through reasonable audits and supervisory assistance reviews.”

Pub. L. 111–296, § 304Subsec. (b)(6). , added par. (6).

Pub. L. 111–296, § 408Subsec. (d). , substituted “$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015” for “$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2009”.

Pub. L. 111–296, § 303Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e).

Pub. L. 108–265, § 126(b)(1)2004—Subsec. (b)(3) to (5). , added pars. (3) to (5).

Pub. L. 108–265, § 127Subsec. (d). , substituted “$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2009” for “$3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1994 through 2003”.

Pub. L. 105–3361998—Subsec. (d). substituted “2003” for “1996”.

Pub. L. 103–4481994—Subsec. (d). substituted “fiscal years 1994 through 1996” for “fiscal years 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–296section 445 of Pub. L. 111–296section 1751 of this titleAmendment by effective , except as otherwise specifically provided, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

section 126(b)(1) of Pub. L. 108–265section 127 of Pub. L. 108–265Pub. L. 108–265section 1754 of this titleAmendment by effective , and amendment by effective , see section 502(a), (b)(4) of , as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–336section 401 of Pub. L. 105–336section 1755 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–448section 401 of Pub. L. 103–448section 1755 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Regulations

Pub. L. 101–147, title I, § 110(b)103 Stat. 889

“Not later than , the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue final regulations to implement section 22 of the [Richard B. Russell] National School Lunch Act [this section] (as added by subsection (a) of this section).”
, , , provided that:

Interpretation

Pub. L. 108–265, title I, § 126(b)(2)118 Stat. 765

42 U.S.C. 1769c(a)“Nothing in the amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] affects the requirements for fiscal actions as described in the regulations issued pursuant to section 22(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ().”
, , , provided that: