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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 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; Department of Education. 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 Appropriation; Department of Health and Human Services.
I. The general court recognizes the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its vital role in the state to reduce food insecurity. On July 4, 2025, Pub. L. 119-21 was signed into law, which changed the federal cost share contribution for administrative costs to support state operations from 50 percent to 25 percent. New Hampshire's operating budget for the biennium ending June 30, 2027 is projected to experience a $4,400,000 general fund impact as a result of the change in policy at the federal level. Due to the timing of the federal legislation, the legislature did not have an opportunity to address budgetary impacts.
II. There is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services the sum of $4,400,000 for the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 for the purpose of supporting the administrative cost impacts resulting from federal legislative cost-share changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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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 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; Department of Education. 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 Appropriation; Department of Health and Human Services.
I. The general court recognizes the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its vital role in the state to reduce food insecurity. On July 4, 2025, Pub. L. 119-21 was signed into law, which changed the federal cost share contribution for administrative costs to support state operations from 50 percent to 25 percent. New Hampshire's operating budget for the biennium ending June 30, 2027 is projected to experience a $4,400,000 general fund impact as a result of the change in policy at the federal level. Due to the timing of the federal legislation, the legislature did not have an opportunity to address budgetary impacts.
II. There is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services the sum of $4,400,000 for the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 for the purpose of supporting the administrative cost impacts resulting from federal legislative cost-share changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.