relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor.

SB 204 expands free school meal eligibility in New Hampshire to students from households earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level, allowing school districts to choose this option. It requires the state to cover 50% of the cost difference for meals not fully reimbursed by federal programs, with districts covering the remaining 50%. School districts opting into this program must offer both online and physical applications for free meals, with the state providing administrative support and software funding. The bill appropriates $357,000 ($107,000 for administrative help and $250,000 for reimbursements/software) for the 2025-2026 biennium, effective July 1, 2025.