Revision: April 21, 2026, 11:11 a.m.
Rep. Ladd, Graf. 5
April 20, 2026
2026-1569h
12/05
Amendment to SB 531-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT establishing a task force to study the feasibility of the creation of cosmetology related programming in Coos County and requiring the reporting of student meal debt by school districts and public chartered schools to the department of education.
Amend the bill by inserting after section 3 the following and renumbering the original section 4 to read as 5:
4 Food and Nutrition Programs; School Lunch Meal Payments; Debt Reporting Requirement Added. Amend RSA 189:11-a, VIII to read as follows:
VIII.(a) A school lunch meal payment policy which is implemented by a school board either before or after the effective date of this section shall ensure that all students have access to a healthy school lunch, that the school district will make every reasonable effort to inform parents of the policy, and that no student will be subject to different treatment from the standard school lunch meal or school cafeteria procedures. The department of education or the state board of education, upon request of the local school board, may provide communication assistance to school districts and parents of school children regarding the school lunch meal payment policy.
(b) Each school district and chartered public school shall maintain accurate annual records of all student meal debt accrued within the district or chartered public school and shall submit such records to the department of education in the manner and form prescribed by the department. For purposes of this subparagraph:
(1) "Student meal debt" means debt arising solely from meals provided to students through the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service program or meals served pursuant to this section.
(2) "Student meal debt" shall not include debt resulting from a la carte purchases, snacks, beverages, or any other non-meal items. Such non-meal items shall not be included in the aggregate student meal debt reported to the department of education; provided, however, that such debt shall still be recorded and maintained by each school district and chartered public school.
2026-1569h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Establishes a task force to report on the feasibility of creating a cosmetology program within the Berlin Regional Career and Technical Center and New Hampshire community college system.
II. Requires school districts and public chartered schools to maintain accurate annual records of student meal debt and to submit such records to the department of education.
The bill is a request of the department of education.