New law prevents punishing students for failed lunch payments

Earlier in May Gov. Maggie Hassan signed SB 371, a bill that limits the policies school boards can adopt regarding school lunch payments. 

The bill was motivated by some school districts with policies that penalize students at lunch time if their parents are behind on school lunch payments.

"Some schools have introduced practices that force students whose parents are delinquent to go to the principal’s office, or stand in a different line for a lunch of lesser appeal and quality, or limit the participation in school activities e.g. field trips, etc.," said Rep. Mary Gile. "Such practices can demean, embarrass and humiliate students and should not be allowed." 

Bill opponents argued that any decision about school lunch payment policies should be made at the local level. School budgets are already strained, and a lack of school lunch payments creates a deficit for many school districts.