1. Short title This Act may be cited as the School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2023 or the School MEALS Act of 2023 . 2. Expanding direct certification Section 9(b)(4)(F)(iii)(II)(bb) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(4)(F)(iii)(II)(bb)) is amended by inserting in not more than 3 school years after measures . 3. Enhancing direct certification Section 9(b)(15)(B)(ii)(III) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(15)(B)(ii)(III) ) is amended by striking 10 and inserting 20 . 4. Direct certification improvement grants and technical assistance Section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1758(b) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (16) Direct certification improvement grants and technical assistance (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (I) a State agency