File #: Int 0836-2026    Version: * Name: Distribution of information regarding the availability of halal and kosher food in schools.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 4/16/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the distribution of information regarding the availability of halal and kosher food in schools
Sponsors: Yusef Salaam, Julie Won
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Education (DOE) to distribute information at the start of each school year to students of public schools and their parents on the availability of halal and kosher meals at schools. DOE would also have to post this information on its website. DOE would be required to distribute and post the information in English, the 9 most common languages spoken by students at home, and any additional languages as determined by DOE.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 836, 2. Int. No. 836, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. April 16, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 836

 

By Council Members Salaam and Won

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the distribution of information regarding the availability of halal and kosher food in schools

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Title 21-A of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new chapter 44 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 44

DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION REGARDING HALAL AND KOSHER MEALS

21-1016 Distribution of information regarding halal and kosher meals. a. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

Home language. The term “home language” means the language most frequently used in a student’s home, as indicated by the response provided by the student’s parent or individual in parental relation to the student on the home language questionnaire as such term is defined in section 154-2.2 of title 8 of the New York code, rules and regulations, regarding definitions pertaining to services for English language learners, or a successor provision.

School. The term “school” means a school of the city school district of the city of New York.

b. No later than September 15 of each year, the department shall distribute to each school, to be shared with each student enrolled in each school and the parents of each such student, information on the availability of halal and kosher meals at schools, any processes to request such meals, and how schools designate and maintain school meals as halal and kosher. The department shall distribute such information in writing, either in hard copy or electronically if distribution of other similar documents occurs electronically.

c. The department shall also post such information on its website and update the posted information no later than September 15 of each year.

d. The department shall make available the information required to be distributed under subdivision b of this section and posted under subdivision c of this section in English, the 9 most common home languages of students enrolled in schools, and any additional languages as determined by the department.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

REC

LS #22879

4/10/2026 3:03 PM