New Hampshire HB 1574: relative to the extension of the free and reduced price breakfast and lunch programs and supporting administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and making appropriations therefor.

Bill Text

HB 1574-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

19Feb2026... 0632h

05/14/2026 1607s

2026 SESSION

 26-2877

 12/08

HOUSE BILL 1574-FN

AN ACT relative to the extension of the free and reduced price breakfast and lunch programs and supporting administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and making appropriations therefor.

SPONSORS: Rep. Weinstein, Rock. 10; Rep. Cornell, Hills. 22; Rep. Selig, Straf. 10; Rep. Sorensen, Rock. 28

COMMITTEE: Education Funding

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill:

 I. 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.

 II. Directs the state to reimburse school boards from the general fund for free and reduced price meals for such eligible students.

 III. Makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services for the purpose of supporting administrative cost impacts resulting from federal legislative cost-share changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19Feb2026... 0632h

05/14/2026 1607s 26-2877

 12/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to the extension of the free and reduced price breakfast and lunch programs and supporting administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and making appropriations therefor.

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 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 obligati