Relating to the therapeutic classroom incentive program by authorizing the expenditure of moneys for certain nutritional items and making appropriations

This bill relates to the therapeutic classroom incentive program by authorizing the expenditure of moneys for certain nutritional items. The therapeutic classroom incentive program, administered by the department of education, provides competitive grants to school districts to establish classrooms that are designed for the purpose of providing support for any student whose emotional, social, or behavioral needs interfere with the student’s ability to be successful in the current educational environment, with or without supports, until the student is able to successfully return to the student’s current education environment, with or without supports, including the general education classroom. The bill provides that the support provided by a therapeutic classroom is required to include supporting student access to micronutrients and vitamins, assessing the macro-nutritional needs of students, providing minimally processed whole foods, restricting the use and availability of certain artificial or synthetic food additives, remediating the negative impacts of excessive use of digital screens, increasing student exposure to natural light or the light emitted by full spectrum lighting fixtures, and carrying out any other scientifically supported initiative that a school district reasonably believes will improve student health. The bill appropriates $75 million from the general fund of the state to the therapeutic classroom incentive fund for FY 2024-2025.