Revision: Feb. 11, 2026, 1:21 p.m.
Rep. Fellows, Graf. 8
Rep. Weinstein, Rock. 10
February 10, 2026
2026-0632h
12/09
Amendment to HB 1574-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT relative to the extension of free and reduced price breakfast and lunch for students under the age of 22 and making an appropriation therefor.
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 1 with the following:
2 New Paragraph; Free and Reduced Meals Expanded for Students Over 21. Amend RSA 189:11-a by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a.(a) Any student who is 21 years of age, enrolled in their resident school district or a chartered public school, and who qualified for the National School Lunch Program or the National School Breakfast Program at age 20 shall remain eligible to receive breakfasts and lunches at rates consistent with applicable federal standards until the earliest of the following occurs:
(1) The student reaches 22 years of age;
(2) The student graduates from school;
(3) The student withdraws from school; or
(4) The student otherwise completes the student’s educational program.
(b) All public school districts and chartered public schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program or the National School Breakfast Program shall be eligible for reimbursement for breakfasts and lunches served to qualifying students at the reimbursement rates established under each applicable federal program by the department of education consistent with this section.
(c) For any meal served to a qualifying student under this paragraph, reimbursement shall first be sought under the applicable federal National School Lunch Program or National School Breakfast Program to the maximum extent permitted by federal law. State reimbursement shall be available only for meals that are not eligible for federal reimbursement. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to permit duplicate reimbursement for the same meal.
(d) The department of education shall include, in its biennial budget and in each subsequent budget submission, a specific request for funding sufficient to carry out the provisions of this section. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant from the education trust fund to satisfy the state’s obligation under this paragraph.
(e) The state board of education may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to the administration of extended breakfast and lunch aid under this paragraph.
3 Appropriation. There is hereby appropriated the sum of $80,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 to the department of education for the purpose of implementing and administering the extended school meal eligibility and reimbursement program established under this act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant from the education trust fund to satisfy the state’s obligation under this act the amount not otherwise appropriated.
4 Applicability. RSA 189:11-a as inserted in section 2 of this act shall apply to all eligible students enrolled beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
2026-0632h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill extends breakfast and lunch aid for all students that are the age of 21 who previously qualified for the National School Lunch Program or National School Breakfast Program at the age of 20. The bill also permits participating schools as eligible to receive reimbursements for school breakfasts and lunches that are provided to qualifying students and makes an appropriation for such purpose.