HB 1574-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2877
12/08
HOUSE BILL 1574-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Weinstein, Rock. 10; Rep. Cornell, Hills. 22; Rep. Selig, Straf. 10; Rep. Sorensen, Rock. 28
COMMITTEE: Education Funding
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ANALYSIS
This bill authorizes school boards to extend free and reduced meal program eligibility for students with an individualized education program (IEP) that are already age 21 but attending school until the age of 22. The bill also directs the state to reimburse school boards from the general fund for free and reduced price meals for such eligible students.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2877
12/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Statement of Findings. The general court finds that:
I. The state of New Hampshire recognizes the importance of supporting the health and nutritional needs of special education students with disabilities who, under recent changes by the department of education, may continue their education beyond the age of 21.
II. The current system does not provide access to free and reduced lunch benefits at age 21, creating barriers to access and potentially compromising the well-being of these students.
2 New Paragraph; Free and Reduced Meals Expanded; Special Education Students Over 21. Amend RSA 189:11-a by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a. All school boards are authorized to extend eligibility for free and reduced price meals to eligible students until the completion of a student's individualized education plan (IEP) or until a student is the age of 22 years old, whichever occurs first in time. The state shall reimburse school boards through the general fund at the same reimbursement rate established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for free and reduced price meals. For the purposes of this paragraph, "eligible student" shall mean a student that:
(a) Has an individualized education plan (IEP), as defined in RSA 186-C:2, III; and
(b) Is 21 years of age but continuing in their individualized educational program for an additional year up until reaching the age of 22.
3 Applicability. RSA 189:11-a as inserted in section 1 of this act shall apply to all eligible students enrolled beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
26-2877
12/3/25
HB 1574-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | Meal Reimbursements to Schools Up to $145K Per Year
DOE Position $109K in FY 27, $114K in FY 28, and $119K in FY 29 | ||||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Local Revenue | $0 | Up to $145K Per Year | ||||
Local Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | ||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill, effective for the 2026-2027 school year, authorizes school boards to extend the Federal Free or Reduced Priced Meal Program eligibility only for special education students with an individualized education program (IEP), through age 22. Under this bill:
To estimate the potential fiscal impact of this bill, the Department of Education has provided the following assumptions:
To provide School Boards with reimbursement for free or reduced priced meals served to students with an IEP aged 21 to 22 would cost approximately $144,645 per year utilizing the current data:
While this bill directs that the state shall reimburse school boards through the general fund, no appropriation from the general fund is included in the bill.
In addition to estimated reimbursements, the Department states it would need one position (miscellaneous business operations specialists (SOC 13-05, step 5), with an estimated total cost of $109,000 in FY 2027, $114,000 in FY 2028, and $119,000 in FY 2029. This bill provides neither authorization nor appropriation for new personnel.
Lastly, using the above assumptions and calculations, the potential fiscal impact of this bill on local school districts is indeterminable. The cost to districts, if any, would be based on application development to determine eligibility, policy implementation, and actual participation.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 15, 2026 | House | Hearing |
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/15/2026 09:30 am GP 232
Dec. 10, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Funding