HB 703 · 2025 · House · Education Funding Committee
Banning school meal denial for debt
AI-generatedrelative to prohibiting school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid meal balances, and making an appropriation therefor.
Requires school districts with USDA-approved meal programs to adopt policies barring the denial or stigmatization of meals for students with unpaid balances, and directs the department of education to cover unpaid school meal debt, with a $1 appropriation.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 13, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill requires school districts with meal programs approved to operate through the United States Department of Agriculture to adopt school meal policies that do not deny or stigmatize students with unpaid meal balances. It also requires the department of education to pay for school meal debts accrued by students participating in the USDA National School Lunch program, and makes an appropriation therefor.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Nicholas GermanaDDeputy Democratic Floor Leader
- Rep. Muriel HallDDeputy Ranking Member· Education Policy
- Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
- Rep. Alexis SimpsonDDemocratic Leader
- Rep. Laura TelerskiDDeputy Democratic Leader
- Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
- Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
Also: Rep. Peggy BalboniD, Rep. Mike BordesR, Rep. Jodi NewellD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD
Public testimony
298 signed in online · 55 wrote testimony
95% support5% oppose0% neutral
ForNo child should be denied a meal over unpaid debt
AgainstRemoving debt-collection tools harms school nutrition budgets
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“This bill will help expand access to free and reduced price meals at our local schools. For families of lower income, this type of meal program makes a big difference in whether they can make ends meet each month, including whether they can afford their rent.…”
“It's not the kid's fault if balances are unpaid. Find another way to collect rather than letting kids starve.”
“It's cruel to withhold food from children. There has to be a better answer.”
“No child should be denied school lunches. NH is behind the times in terms of helping end food insecurity for children.”
“My name is Lauren Crowley, and I am a School Nutrition Director with years of experience managing school meal programs. I am submitting this testimony to express my opposition to House Bill 703 as it is currently written.…”
“I agree with points a-e of this bill. I oppose prohibiting schools from making attempts to collect funds owed for lunches.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2025-01-2810:00 amHouse Education FundingLOB 205-207Public hearing
- 2025-02-1112:45 pmHouse Education FundingLOB 205-207Public hearing
- 2025-02-1810:30 amHouse Education FundingLOB 205-207Public hearing
Legislative history
- Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Education Funding HJ 3 P. 23
- Jan 28, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2025 01:45 pm LOB 205-207
- Feb 11, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/11/2025 12:45 pm LOB 205-207
- Feb 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2025 10:30 am LOB 205-207
- Feb 18, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
- Mar 3, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0434h (NT)
- Mar 13, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 202-173 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 58
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.