A proposal to make school breakfast free for all public-school students in Connecticut is moving through the legislature, drawing strong support from families and education advocates, along with questions about cost from some lawmakers.

The plan began earlier this month when Gov. Ned Lamont included $12.5 million in his proposed state budget to provide free breakfast to all K through 12 students. The proposal also includes funding to eliminate reduced price lunch fees, which would make lunch fully free for about 13,000 additional students.

Now, lawmakers are considering House Bill 5214, which reflects the governor’s proposal. During a public hearing before the Education Committee on February 23, students, parents and school leaders testified about how access to free meals affects learning.

“If you’re hungry, it’s a lot harder to focus,” one student told lawmakers, explaining that breakfast at school helps remove stress at the start of the day.

Advocates said the program would especially help families who earn too much to qualify for federal free meals but still struggle with rising grocery costs. Several speakers noted that when meals were free for all students during the pandemic, more children participated and stigma around school meals decreased.

“They removed stigma, reduced stress, and ensured that students could focus on learning instead of worrying about whether they could afford to eat,” one speaker said, reflecting on that period.

Supporters argue that breakfast is directly connected to academic performance. They say students who start the day with food are more alert, better behaved and more prepared to learn.

In Greater Danbury, where many families are working class or immigrant households balancing multiple jobs, the proposal could have a noticeable impact. Danbury Public Schools serve thousands of students, and local leaders have long discussed food insecurity as a challenge for some families.

State Senator Julie Kushner, who represents Danbury, has frequently spoken about the importance of strong public education funding and student support services. While she has not issued a public statement specifically on this bill, her past advocacy for school resources suggests alignment with efforts aimed at improving student well-being.

Representative Bob Godfrey, who represents part of Danbury and serves as Deputy Speaker of the House, has also supported measures in the past that strengthen public education funding. Local legislators are expected to weigh in as the bill advances.

Still, not every lawmaker is fully convinced.

During the hearing, Rep. Tina Courpas, a Republican from Greenwich, questioned how the program would be funded long term and whether state reimbursements would fully cover district costs. She asked what towns should expect financially if the bill becomes law.

Those concerns reflect a broader debate at the Capitol about balancing expanded services with the state budget.

Connecticut already participates in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, which allows high poverty schools to offer free meals to all students. The proposed expansion would cover schools that do not meet that threshold, making breakfast universally free regardless of income.

The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers will take a closer look at the financial details. If approved, the program could take effect in the next school year.

For families watching closely, the question is simple: can Connecticut ensure that every child starts the day ready to learn? Lawmakers will decide in the coming weeks.