This bill amends the eligibility criteria for students to participate in the education freedom account program by increasing the household income threshold. Previously, to be considered an "eligible student," a resident of the state had to have an annual household income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The bill raises this threshold to 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, as updated annually in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. This change allows more students to qualify for the program based on their household income level. Once a student is deemed eligible, there is no need to meet the income threshold in subsequent years as long as they continue to qualify under other program criteria.

The bill specifies that students in the special school district within the department of corrections, as established in RSA 194:60, are not considered eligible students for this program. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an approved date of June 27, 2023, and an effective date of August 26, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 194-F:1
As Amended by the House: 194-F:1
Version adopted by both bodies: 194-F:1
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 194-F:1