Revision: April 9, 2024, 2:49 p.m.
Rep. Hall, Merr. 9
Rep. Damon, Sull. 8
Rep. Woodcock, Carr. 1
Rep. Myler, Merr. 9
April 9, 2024
2024-1456h
02/06
Floor Amendment to HB 1212-FN-LOCAL
Amend the bill by replacing section 1 with the following:
1 Short Title. This act may be known and cited as the "Art Ellison Feed the Kids Act".
Amend the bill by inserting after section 1 the following and renumbering the original sections 2 and 3 to read as 3 and 4, respectively:
2 Schools; Food and Nutrition Programs; School Lunch Eligibility. Amend RSA 189:11-a, I to read as follows:
I.(a) Each school board shall make at least one meal available during school hours to every pupil under its jurisdiction. Such meals shall be served without cost or at a reduced cost to any child who meets federal income eligibility guidelines. Within schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, pursuant to 42 U.S.C chapter 13, lunch meals shall be served without cost to any child whose annual household income is less than or equal to 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. section 9902(2). The state board of education shall ensure compliance with this section and shall establish minimum nutritional standards for such meals as well as income guidelines set for the family size used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the operation of both a breakfast and lunch program in the same school.
(b) All costs for the school meals program under subparagraph (a) in addition to sums allocated under RSA 186:13, XI, shall be funded by disbursements from the department of education to the school districts, made from funds appropriated for such purpose from the education trust fund. The amount necessary to fund this paragraph is hereby appropriated to the department from the education trust fund created under RSA 198:39. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant from the education trust fund to satisfy the state's obligation under this paragraph.
2024-1456h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill increases the eligibility for free school lunch to household incomes up to 250 percent of federal poverty guidelines for students at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, and provides funding from the education trust fund for the additional costs.