This bill amends RSA 189:11-a to authorize school boards to extend eligibility for free and reduced price meals to students with an individualized education program (IEP) who are 21 years old but continue their education until they reach the age of 22. The new legal language inserted into the law specifies that these eligible students can receive meal benefits until they complete their IEP or turn 22, whichever comes first. Additionally, the bill mandates that the state reimburse school boards for the cost of these meals from the general fund at the reimbursement rates established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The bill is set to take effect for the 2026-2027 school year and does not include any appropriations for funding or new positions, despite the estimated cost of reimbursement to school boards being approximately $145,000 per year. The Department of Education will need to create separate applications for students over 21 to determine eligibility, as the federal application cannot be used. The fiscal impact on local school districts remains indeterminable, as it will depend on the costs associated with application development and policy implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 189:11-a
HB1574 text: 189:11-a