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Committee advances bill to fund out-of-school youth supports; bill passed as amended
Summary
The committee passed SB359 as amended, an appropriation-authorizing bill to fund established out-of-school-time programs meeting specified eligibility and accountability requirements and to allow department rulemaking if funds become available.
Senator Petty explained SB359 and an accompanying amendment that increases the original funding request; sponsors said the bill and related measures address out-of-school supports statewide and align with similar bills. Petty described the proposal as increasing the amount of an original request and said the amendment "is simply adding" to the prior request.
Committee members asked whether the appropriation is an RSA request or an unfunded appropriation. Senator Dussman clarified on the record that SB359 is an unfunded appropriation, not an RSA allocation and not drawn from the department's existing general-allotment funds. The bill authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to promulgate rules and set grant terms should funds become available.
Committee questions focused on eligibility criteria. The bill requires applicants be qualified 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations; groups must have been in operation for more than five years and demonstrate a record of fiscal accountability. Sponsors said the requirements aim to prioritize established providers while permitting newer organizations to apply for matching grants under different terms.
After discussion the committee moved SB359 with the amendment and passed it as amended by voice vote; a roll-call tally was not recorded in the transcript excerpt.
