Education

HB 510 establishes specific due process protections for students, student organizations, and faculty at New Hampshire's public colleges and universities facing disciplinary actions. It requires written notice of allegations 7 days before hearings, access to evidence 5 days prior, a presumption of innocence (requiring proof a violation occurred), the right to cross-examine witnesses, and an appeal process. The bill ensures these rights apply before any discipline is imposed, except in cases of imminent threat to safety, and clarifies that existing union contracts for faculty remain in effect until expiration. Public institutions must follow these procedures or provide stronger protections, but cannot offer fewer rights than specified.

HB 366 increases the annual funding floor for New Hampshire school building aid grants from $50 million to $60 million, starting July 2025. It requires at least $5 million of this total to fund projects that began construction between 2009 and 2019 but were delayed due to prior funding limitations, prioritizing these under existing application rules. This change directly affects school districts seeking construction or renovation funding, with local districts expected to receive an estimated $45-50 million more annually starting in 2026. The bill does not create new state spending but adjusts existing appropriations from the Education Trust Fund.

SB 204 requires New Hampshire school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students from households earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty level during school hours. It reimburses schools at 50% of the difference between federal free meal rates and paid/reduced rates, with local districts covering the remaining 50%. The bill appropriates $500,000 to help districts implement online applications for meal eligibility and covers administrative costs for the Department of Education. This directly affects public school districts and low-income students, expanding meal access while establishing a new online application process for qualifying families.

HB 665 expands eligibility for free school meals in New Hampshire to students from households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (approximately $93,600 annually for a family of four), raising the current threshold. This change directly affects all public school students in qualifying households, including those previously eligible only for reduced-price meals. The bill requires school districts to provide at least one free meal daily to these students, funded entirely through the Education Trust Fund without new state positions. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and aligns New Hampshire’s program with broader federal income guidelines for school nutrition assistance.

HB 295 makes funds allocated for New Hampshire's school building aid program nonlapsing, meaning unused money won't expire or return to the state treasury at year-end. This directly affects school districts and chartered public schools that receive these funds for building projects. The key provision changes the funding status under RSA 198:15-a, ensuring aid can carry over to future years if not spent in the current fiscal period. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, providing more stable long-term funding for school construction needs.

HB 651 increases the base cost of an adequate education per student from $4,100 to $7,356.01 and raises differential aid amounts for specific student groups: free or reduced-price meal eligible students by $1,733.28 (to $4,126.20), English language learners by $602.88 (to $1,435.20), and students with special education needs by $1,582.56 (to $3,767.40). The bill also expands the definition of an adequate education to include additional resource elements like teacher benefits, technology, and facility maintenance. This change, effective July 1, 2025, will require higher state funding for school districts, charter schools, and education freedom accounts, with an estimated $576 million increase for school districts in fiscal year 2026.