This bill amends the eligibility criteria for the New Hampshire child care scholarship program by allowing families with a gross monthly income of less than or equal to 95 percent of the state median income to qualify, contingent upon available funding. The current law does not specify income eligibility, and this change aims to expand access to the program. Additionally, the bill reallocates certain revenue sources to fund this increase in eligibility, specifically directing 50 percent of any surplus revenues from tobacco taxes, liquor commission profits, beer taxes, and video lottery terminals to the Department of Health and Human Services for administering and expanding the child care scholarship program. Furthermore, it introduces a new eligibility range for families with incomes between 85 percent and 95 percent of the state median income, potentially making around 6,090 children eligible for scholarships.

The bill also includes a contingency clause stating that it will not take effect until the commissioner of the Department of Revenue Administration certifies that the specified revenue sources have operated at a surplus for the past year, with the earliest possible certification date being July 1, 2027. Additionally, it mandates the allocation of 2 percent of certain revenues received by the Lottery Commission to the childcare scholarship program, specifically from revenues generated by horse and dog racing, games of chance, bingo/Lucky 7, fantasy sports, sports betting, and video lottery terminals, with no transfers occurring before July 1, 2027. The anticipated annual cost for the expanded eligibility is estimated at $29 million, and the Department of Health and Human Services expects to require additional staffing and funding to manage the increased caseload and update the eligibility system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 167:83, 78:24, 176:16, 178:26, 287-J:6
As Amended by the Senate: 167:83, 78:24, 176:16, 178:26, 287-J:6, 284:21-j
SB645 text: 167:83, 78:24, 176:16, 178:26, 287-J:6