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 (SMI) to qualify for assistance, contingent upon available funding. The current eligibility threshold is set at 85 percent of the SMI. To support this increase in eligibility, the bill reallocates 2 percent of revenues from various sources, including tobacco taxes, liquor sales, beer taxes, and video lottery terminal revenues, to the Department of Health and Human Services for administering and expanding the child care scholarship program.

The bill also includes specific amendments to existing laws, such as RSA 167:83, II(r), which now references the new eligibility criteria, and RSA 78:24, I, which outlines the distribution of tobacco tax revenues. Additionally, it modifies RSA 176:16, I, and RSA 178:26, I, to allocate 2 percent of liquor and beer tax revenues to the child care scholarship program. The estimated fiscal impact indicates that approximately 6,090 additional children may qualify for scholarships, with an annual cost of around $29 million if all eligible children receive benefits. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 167:83, 78:24, 176:16, 178:26, 287-J:6
SB645 text: 167:83, 78:24, 176:16, 178:26, 287-J:6