Revision: March 19, 2025, 11:38 a.m.
Senate Finance
March 18, 2025
2025-1104s
07/02
Amendment to SB 204-FN-A
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 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.
2 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.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
2025-1104s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill 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.