1 New Subparagraphs; Termination of Tenancy. Amend RSA 540:2, II by inserting after subparagraph (i) the following new subparagraphs:

(j)(1) Use of any personal identification that does not belong to the tenant or occupant to obtain or maintain a tenancy.

(2) Personal identification in this subparagraph includes but is not limited to any birth certificate, driver's license, government identification, passport, social security number, or taxpayer identification number.

(k)(1) The tenant or any occupant of the rented premises has been convicted of any of the following:

(A) Improper entry by alien under 8 U.S.C. section 1325(a) and the conviction is less than 3 years prior to the service of the eviction notice;

(B) Any offense which requires registration as a "sexual offender" as defined by RSA 651-B:1, IV, unless registration is no longer required prior to the service of the eviction notice; or

(C) Any offense which requires registration as an "offender against children" as defined by RSA 651-B:1, VI, unless registration is no longer required prior to the service of the eviction notice.

(2) Any conviction disclosed in writing by the tenant or occupant to the landlord or disclosed via a criminal background check run by the landlord prior to the start of any tenancy shall prevent the landlord from later terminating the tenancy for any specific conviction disclosed. If the landlord does not conduct a background check or request disclosure on the tenant application form, the landlord shall not be entitled to the grounds for eviction established by subparagraph II(k)(1).

(3) If any provision of this subparagraph or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the subparagraph which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this subparagraph are declared to be severable.

2 New Paragraph; Termination of Tenancy. Amend RSA 540:2 by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:

IX. Any eviction brought pursuant to RSA 540:2, II(j) or (k) shall name as defendant only the person or persons alleged to have violated RSA 540:2, II(j) or (k) without naming remaining members of the household and the court may enter judgment against only the named defendants.

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, 2027, 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, 2027, 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.

5 Effective Date.

I. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2026.

1 New Subparagraphs; Termination of Tenancy. Amend RSA 540:2, II by inserting after subparagraph (i) the following new subparagraphs:

(j)(1) Use of any personal identification that does not belong to the tenant or occupant to obtain or maintain a tenancy.

(2) Personal identification in this subparagraph includes but is not limited to any birth certificate, driver's license, government identification, passport, social security number, or taxpayer identification number.

(k)(1) The tenant or any occupant of the rented premises has been convicted of any of the following:

(A) Improper entry by alien under 8 U.S.C. section 1325(a) and the conviction is less than 3 years prior to the service of the eviction notice;

(B) Any offense which requires registration as a "sexual offender" as defined by RSA 651-B:1, IV, unless registration is no longer required prior to the service of the eviction notice; or

(C) Any offense which requires registration as an "offender against children" as defined by RSA 651-B:1, VI, unless registration is no longer required prior to the service of the eviction notice.

(2) Any conviction disclosed in writing by the tenant or occupant to the landlord or disclosed via a criminal background check run by the landlord prior to the start of any tenancy shall prevent the landlord from later terminating the tenancy for any specific conviction disclosed. If the landlord does not conduct a background check or request disclosure on the tenant application form, the landlord shall not be entitled to the grounds for eviction established by subparagraph II(k)(1).

(3) If any provision of this subparagraph or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the subparagraph which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this subparagraph are declared to be severable.

2 New Paragraph; Termination of Tenancy. Amend RSA 540:2 by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:

IX. Any eviction brought pursuant to RSA 540:2, II(j) or (k) shall name as defendant only the person or persons alleged to have violated RSA 540:2, II(j) or (k) without naming remaining members of the household and the court may enter judgment against only the named defendants.

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, 2027, 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, 2027, 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.

5 Effective Date.

I. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2026.