SB517 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.
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.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Beneficial
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Eliminates school meal costs for all NH families with children, saving hundreds of dollars per child per year. Also eliminates school meal debt that burdens many families.
Your Community
Universal school meals ensure no child goes hungry during the school day, improving academic performance, reducing stigma around free lunch programs, and supporting child health across all income levels.
Your Freedom
Removes financial barriers to student nutrition. Some may view the mandate on school districts as an unfunded obligation, though the bill includes appropriations.
Status
Pending Motion OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; Senate Journal 6
Sponsor
Donovan Fenton (D)
The Short Version
Requires school districts to provide meals to students during school hours and appropriates state funds to reimburse schools for meals provided at no cost to students. This would establish universal free school meals in NH.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ All students in NH public schools
- ▲ Low-income families currently struggling with meal costs
- ▲ Schools that would receive reimbursement
- ▲ Working parents
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ State taxpayers funding the appropriation
- ▼ Those who oppose government-funded universal programs
Bill statuses as of May 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.