Bill Summary
The "Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025" aims to enhance the training and certification standards for local food service personnel under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. The legislation mandates that training programs be scheduled during regular paid working hours and, when appropriate, offered in person and at no cost to the participants. Additionally, if training occurs outside of regular hours, the bill requires that employees be informed and consulted about scheduling, receive compensation for their time, and not face penalties for inability to attend. The act ensures that these provisions do not override any existing laws regarding the employer-employee relationship. Overall, the bill seeks to improve the accessibility and quality of training for food service workers in schools.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the “Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025” could affect people:
1. **Enhanced Job Skills and Knowledge**: By mandating training programs that are scheduled during regular working hours and provided at no cost, food service personnel are likely to gain improved skills and knowledge related to nutrition and food safety. This can lead to better food preparation and service in schools, ultimately benefiting students' health and well-being.
2. **Increased Employee Satisfaction and Retention**: Providing training that is accessible, appropriately scheduled, and compensated can improve job satisfaction among food service workers. When employees feel valued and supported through training opportunities, they may be more likely to stay in their positions, reducing turnover rates and fostering a more stable work environment.
3. **Fairness and Non-Discrimination**: The legislation emphasizes that food service personnel should not be penalized or discriminated against for not attending training scheduled outside of regular working hours. This provision protects employees' rights and ensures that they are not placed in difficult situations where they must choose between their job and personal commitments, contributing to a fairer workplace culture.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3367 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3367
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to clarify the availability
and appropriateness of training for local food service personnel, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 13, 2025
Mr. Pocan (for himself and Ms. Stefanik) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to clarify the availability
and appropriateness of training for local food service personnel, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Training for School Food
Service Workers Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF ALL LOCAL FOOD SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Section 7(g)(2)(B) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1776(g)(2)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) Availability and appropriateness of
training.--
``(I) In general.--A training
program carried out under this
subparagraph shall--
``(aa) be scheduled during
regular, paid working hours;
``(bb) be offered in-
person, if appropriate;
``(cc) incorporate
experiential learning; and
``(dd) be provided at no
cost to food service personnel.
``(II) Program outside working
hours.--In the event that a training
program carried out under this
subparagraph is scheduled outside of
regular, paid working hours--
``(aa) efforts shall be
made to inform food service
personnel of the necessity of
the program to be scheduled
outside of regular, paid
working hours;
``(bb) food service
personnel shall be consulted to
schedule the program at a time
that is minimally disruptive to
the personnel participating in
the training program;
``(cc) compensation shall
be provided to food service
personnel attending the program
at the regular rate of pay,
including any applicable
overtime rate; and
``(dd) food service
personnel shall not be
penalized or in any other
manner discriminated against
for not being able to attend
the program.
``(v) Relationship to other laws.--Nothing
in this subparagraph supersedes or otherwise
modifies any Federal, State, or local law or
legal obligation governing the relationship
between an employee and employer.''.
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