NH SB517

School boards may vote to raise eligibility for free school meals from the federal standard to 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($64,300 for a family of four in 2025)

State would reimburse participating districts at 50 percent of the difference between federal free meal rates and reduced/paid meal rates, with local districts covering the remaining 50 percent

Appropriates $107,000 for Department of Education administrative costs and $250,000 for school districts to purchase online application software and receive reimbursements, though a technical error dates the appropriation for the biennium ending June 30, 2026 while the bill takes effect July 1, 2026

Department of Education must adopt rules requiring participating districts to offer both online and physical applications for free meals and provide technical assistance for online application systems

Estimated state cost of up to approximately $7 million per year if all eligible students participate, covering an estimated 12,464 paid students and 6,384 reduced-price students who would qualify under the expanded eligibility