(1) There is hereby created the child nutrition school lunch protection program to ensure that each student in a Colorado public school has access to a healthy lunch at school to help the student participate fully in the learning process.

(2) The department shall administer the program in accordance with the procedures developed pursuant to section 22-82.9-106.

(3) The department shall approve a multi-district online school operating in learning centers, as defined in section 22-30.7-102 (4), to participate in the program and in the school lunchprogram so long as the multi-district online school complies with the federal requirements for participating in the school lunch program, including but not limited to completing and submitting the required federal application form for each student who chooses to participate in the school lunch program.

(4) The objectives of the program are to:

(a) Eliminate the reduced price paid by Colorado students who are enrolled in state-subsidized early childhood education programs administered by public schools or in kindergarten through eighth grade and who are participating in the school lunch program;

(b) Increase the number of Colorado students who consume a healthy lunch each day;

(c) Decrease statewide health care costs by improving the health of school-age children;

(d) Lessen students' risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes by providing healthy school lunch options;

(e) Encourage charter schools and school districts to participate in the school lunch program;

(f) Increase students' consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, vitamins, calcium, protein, fiber, and iron; and reduce the consumption of sodium, cholesterol, sugar, and calories;

(g) Make lunch more accessible to underprivileged students;

(h) Lessen the stigma associated with children who receive reduced-cost lunches;

(i) Reduce child hunger in Colorado; and

(j) Continue to strengthen and support child nutrition programs.