Virginia lawmakers pass bill to stop student meal debt lawsuits
Settle was inspired to start Settle the Debt, a nonprofit organization that pays off school meal debt at Prince William County schools. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, introduced House Bill 2013 that would prohibit school boards from suing families to collect school meal debt. HB 703 allows school boards to solicit donations to offset or eliminate school meal debt. โSchool meal debt as a concept should not exist and school meal debt shaming, likewise, should not exist,โ Roem said. Roem said 15% of the outstanding school meal debt in Prince William County has been from students on reduced lunch.