Revision: June 4, 2025, 3:43 p.m.
Sen. Fenton, Dist 10
May 30, 2025
2025-2581s
07/08
Floor Amendment to HB 143
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT relative to the issuance of no trespass orders on municipal or school district property, the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, and reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost.
Amend the bill by replacing section 1 with the following:
1 Short Title. Sections 1 and 2 of this act may be cited to and known as the "No Trespass Orders on Public Property Act."
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 2 with the following:
3 New Paragraphs; Food and Nutrition Programs. Amend RSA 189:11-a by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraphs:
IX. Each school board may vote to raise eligibility for free meals to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Meals served to students who meet the federal income eligibility guidelines shall continue to be reimbursed in accordance with federal law and regulations. Meals not reimbursed in accordance with federal law and regulations shall be reimbursed by the state of New Hampshire at a rate that covers 50 percent of the difference between the federal rate for a free meal and a reduced-price meal, or the difference between a free meal and a paid meal. The remainder of the costs shall be covered by the local district.
X.(a) The department of education shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A requiring school districts that opt into the optional program pursuant to paragraph IX to offer both online and physical applications for free school meals.
(b) The department of education shall provide administrative or technical assistance to school districts establishing an online application for free or reduced-price school meals, and whose school meal programs are approved to operate through the United States Department of Agriculture.
(c) School districts eligible for administrative or technical assistance or funding under this section shall be those approved to operate federal school meal programs through the United States Department of Agriculture and accepted by the department of education to participate in this expansion of free and reduced lunch benefits.
4 Appropriation; Department of Education; Food and Nutrition Program.
I. The amount of $107,000 is appropriated to the department of education for the biennium ending June 30, 2026, for administrative costs related to providing administrative or technical assistance to school districts establishing an online application for free or reduced-price school meals. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
II. The amount of $250,000 is appropriated to the department of education for the biennium ending June 30, 2026, for disbursement to school districts to be reimbursed at a 50 percent rate pursuant to RSA 189:11-a, X(a) and to purchase software related to the establishment of an online application for free or reduced-price school meals. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
I. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
2025-2581s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
1. Establishes the process for issuing, extending, and appealing no trespass orders for public properties, including but not limited to municipal and school properties.
2. Establishes procedural safeguards for individuals affected by these orders, including the right to a hearing and appeal.
3. Authorizes school boards to raise eligibility for free meals, requires the department of education to reimburse schools who raise eligibility, and provides an appropriation therefor.