Oregon Senators Try To End Practice Of 'Lunch Shaming'

By Chris Lehman (OPB)
Salem, Oregon July 4, 2017 12:27 a.m.

A measure that aims to prevent the so-called practice of "lunch shaming" in Oregon is one step closer to becoming law.

The Oregon Senate voted unanimously Monday for a bill that would ban schools from singling out kids who can't pay for their meal.

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Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene, said he was the victim of that kind of public humiliation when he was a child.

"I remember how important it was to have a 3 cent carton of milk as my nutrition for the day," said Manning.

"I remember people looking at me as I was different, because of my economic, or lack of economic background."

Under the bill, schools would have to serve all children the same meals, regardless of how much they pay. The schools could still communicate directly with parents about unpaid lunch debt.

The measure now heads to the Oregon House for concurrence on a Senate amendment.

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