In many school districts, students who are unable to pay for lunch can be shamed – or denied lunch.

Senator Steve Stadelman of Rockford says some kids that can’t afford a lunch have been made to feel bad by schools requiring them to wear a wristband or handstamp.

He says every student that asks for a lunch at school should get one.

That’s why Stadelman sponsored a measure — that is now a new state law — to end “lunch shaming” in Illinois schools.

The law requires schools to give kids that can’t pay a lunch, without making a big deal out of it. Administrators can then contact the parents and work out a payment plan or direct them to apply for free or reduced lunches. If the debt reaches 500 dollars or more…schools can ask the state to take the money out of the family’s tax refund.