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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; 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.
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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; 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.