Revision: June 7, 2023, 8:16 a.m.
Sen. Whitley, Dist 15
Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13
Sen. Chandley, Dist 11
Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5
June 6, 2023
2023-2158s
02/10
Floor Amendment to HB 2-FN-A-LOCAL
Amend the bill by inserting after section 604 the following new sections and renumbering the effective date to be the last numbered section:
605 New Paragraphs; School Boards; Food and Nutrition Programs; Medicaid Direct Certification. Amend RSA 189:11-a by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraphs:
IX. The department of education shall seek participation in the demonstration projects for states to evaluate the impact of using Medicaid eligibility data to directly certify students for free and reduced price school meals administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The department of health and human services shall assist the department of education as needed in pursuing and implementing Medicaid direct certification.
X. The department of education and department of health and human services shall submit an application for participation in the demonstration projects for states to evaluate the impact of using Medicaid eligibility data to directly certify students for free and reduced price school meals administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) no later than September 1, 2023. Because the USDA permits state agencies to conduct direct certification with Medicaid for free and reduced price school meals in a portion of the local educational agencies within a state, the application submitted by the department of education and department of health and human services shall include only the following New Hampshire municipalities which, based on federal fiscal year 2021 data, had participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at 11 percent and above: Cambridge, Stratford, Berlin, Claremont, Winchester, Colebrook, Newport, Franklin, Northumberland, and Laconia.
XI. Within 30 days of acceptance into the demonstration projects for states to evaluate the impact of using Medicaid eligibility data to directly certify students for free and reduced price school meals administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the department of education and department of health and human services shall implement the program.
XII. School districts shall provide notice to parents of children who are identified as eligible for free or reduced meals through Medicaid Direct Certification that they can choose to opt out of the free and reduced school lunch program.
606 Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 198:39, I, the sum of $425,000 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, is hereby appropriated from the education trust fund to the department of education for the purpose of funding one new program specialist II position and covering costs associated with section 605 of this act. Any unexpended amounts shall lapse to the education trust fund on June 30, 2025. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant out of any money in the education trust fund not otherwise appropriated.
607 Effective Date. Section 606 of this act shall take effect June 30, 2023.
2023-2158s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
Add:
206. Directs the department of education to seek participation in the demonstration projects for states to evaluate the impact of using Medicaid eligibility data to directly certify students for free and reduced price school meals administered by the United States Department of Agriculture.