HB703

I STRONGLY support making it easier for children to receive free and reduced price school meals.

It’s very simple. We need to feed the children in schools in order to help them grow and learn. Studies show hungry children don’t succeed as well as well nourished children. We need to feed all children. I support this bill

Children shouldn't have to go hungry because parents can't pay

Although more is needed to comply with decades' worth of court rulings, this bill is a move in the right direction.

Students cannot learn if they are hungry. It's imperative that an appropriation be made to so that schools will not deny food to children with unpaid balances on their accounts.

Let's not make kids go hungry because their parents failed to pay the bill. That is absurd. Please pass this bill!

All children deserve access to healthy food, regardless of the income of their parents or guardians. Research suggests, and teachers will confirm, that students who are well fed have better academic outcomes than those who don't. Children also should not be penalized with the inability to graduate, attend field trips, or be required to do extra work than their peers to pay down their "lunch debt" solely because of their parents' or guardians' financial hardship. I support this bill, and I encourage the committee to as well.

I support this bill

No child should go hungry at school. They are there to learn and make connections with other students, not to worry about whether or not they will receive lunch. Children are our future, let’s treat them with respect so they treat us with respect later.

It is extremely important that we recognize the contributions our public schools make to our community and show that support by increasing the per pupil cost from $4100 to $7356. This is long overdue.

It is extremely important that we recognize the contributions our public schools make to our community and show that support by increasing the per pupil cost from $4100 to $7356. This is long overdue.

It is extremely important that we recognize the contributions our public schools make to our community and show that support by increasing the per pupil cost from $4100 to $7356. This is long overdue.

The fact that this bill is even an issue is shameful. How can anyone deny food to kids because their families can't afford to pay? I am disgusted to live in a state DELIBERATELY running on fumes (-0$) and then claiming there isn't enough money to feed children.

We cannot deny children food.

Support all special Ed and school funding

it's shameful to think that a school district would deny food to students in need because of an unpaid bill. I support this bill because I think it's wrong to punish families who are burdened financially. Denying food to a family struggling to make ends meet is draconian.

There has to be a better way to make sure that students are fed at school than to deny them meals because their parents/guardians owe money on their meal tab or shame them by throwing their meal in the trash. or otherwise calling attention to them by any means that singles them out publicly or negatively impacts their education. Some of the activities restricted in this bill would be considered harassment. It is time to treat students, who are children and minors, with respect and dignity. Every interaction in school - and in life - can have a positive or negative impact, can be an opportunity to teach respect, responsibility, and compassion. What do we want children to learn by denying them a meal and publicly humiliating them and calling attention to their poverty? Being poor is not a sin. Shaming the child - and their parents - for not being able to afford a school meal isn't going to pay the bill. If you don't think their parents are already worrying about their children and their bills, then I ask you to put yourself in their place. We should be better than this, as this bill gives us an opportunity to be. Thank you to the sponsors for lifting up the need and giving the Granite State a means to show how to be compassionate and respectful. Also, let's feed the children so they are healthy and ready to learn.

Individuals who qualify for Medicaid should not be given additional obstacles and friction for assistance - they have already proven the need.

I'm testifying in support of HB703 because no child deserves to be punished for their financial situation. Students attending school to learn need to have proper nutrition, especially if they may not be encountering that at home.

Dear House Judiciary Committee members, I am opposed to bill HB476 that would further restrict abortion, reproductive healthcare, in New Hampshire. As you may know, 78% of New Hampshire citizens believe there should be a right to get an abortion, in every state of the U.S. Also, the great majority - I believe it is 68% - of us here in New Hampshire oppose a 15-week abortion ban. Therefore, your opposition to this bill would be representing the will of the people you represent. On a personal note, my niece was able to obtain an abortion after a rape that she would never have been able to prove, before Roe V. Wade was overturned. She went on to have to beautiful healthy boys. I believe all women and families should have that opportunity. Please oppose HB476 and support the health and welfare of New Hampshire families. Thank you for your service to the people of our State.

This bill is important to pass. Kids deserve to have a nutritious meal and not a cheese sandwich when their account is past due because their parents are struggling to keep up. Not only is not ok from a nutritious point of view but also from a social/emotional point of view as it's embarrassing when other kids notice.

Please help keep kids fed so they can learn to their potential!

No child should be shamed for not having the money to eat breakfast and lunch at school. They need nutrition in order to function and learn effectively. They should never feel embarrassed to access the same meals as every other kid in the program. They should certainly not be sent away from the line with a lesser meal. This would only encourage them not to ask for a meal at all, if there was a chance of being embarrassed in front of their peers.