School meals food preparation and service employees - wage increase or stipend

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, in addition to the amounts received pursuant to sections 22-82.9-204 and 22-82.9-205, a participating school food authority or charter school that operates under a participating charter school food authority may receive an amount described in section 22-82.9-211 (3), so long as the participating school food authority or charter school that operates under a participating charter school food authority uses one hundred percent of the amount received pursuant to this section to increase wages or provide stipends for individuals whom the participating school food authority employs to directly prepare and serve food for school meals. To receive the amount described in this section, a participating school food authority or charter school that operates under a participating charter school food authority must submit documentation to the department as required by rules of the state board to demonstrate that the increase in wages or provision of stipends using the amount received pursuant to this section is implemented for the budget year in which the amount is received. (2) Subject to available appropriations, this section is effective beginning in the 2025-26 budget year.