HB572 expands eligibility for free school meals to students from households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. It allocates funding from the education trust fund to cover the additional costs, ensuring schools can provide meals at no charge to eligible students.
The New Hampshire State Senate voted to table HB572 on January 3, 2024 by a vote of 13 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because taxpayers should not fund meals for school students. This bill increases government spending and expands the role of government. Providing free meals to some students, but not others, regardless of need, removes the personal responsibility of parents and guardians to provide for their children’s meals.