'Starving' players may get more food

• Ruling would apply to both athletes who get scholarships and those who don't


• NCAA has been looking at the issue for months


• Star player at NCAA tournament revealed he sometimes cannot afford to buy food


• Other proposals include lighter penalties for testing positive for marijuana

(CNN) -- The NCAA on Tuesday proposed that athletes receive unlimited meals and snacks, the collegiate sports organization said in a news release.

Member Division I schools could provide their athletes food in addition to the meal plan covered by the student's scholarship if the plan is approved, the release said.

Napier: 'We gave everything we got'

The announcement comes not long after a University of Connecticut star told reporters covering the NCAA tournament that he sometimes goes to bed "starving" because he can't afford food. Shabazz Napier's remarks sparked a new discussion on what benefits athletes should receive. Napier, a senior, is a top NBA prospect.

However, the NCAA has been discussing changes to its meals rules for months.

The decision from the Legislative Council would need to be approved by the Division I board of directors at a meeting on April 24.

"Today we took action to provide meals to student-athletes incidental to participation. I think the end result is right where it needs to be," said council chairwoman Mary Mulvenna.

As of now, NCAA rules say athletes may be provided three meals a day or a food stipend. The new rule would apply to scholarship and nonscholarship athletes.

Other proposals from the council included reducing the penalty for first time offenders of a positive test for street drugs like marijuana during championships and requiring football players to take at least three-hour breaks between practices during preseason.

The drugs penalty will be suspension for half a season instead of a full season, the NCAA said. If approved the measures would take effect August 1.