Bill > HB699

This bill updates and clarifies definitions related to special education in New Hampshire's legal code, introducing several key changes. The bill redefines a "child with a disability" as a person between 3 and 21 years old with various specified impairments or developmental delays, and expands the definition to include certain previously incarcerated individuals. It introduces new terms such as "bureau" (referring to the bureau of special education support), "acquired brain injury" (a post-birth brain injury affecting educational performance), and "approved educational environment" (a special education setting approved by the bureau). The bill also modernizes definitions of "special education" and "specially designed instruction" by referencing federal guidelines, and provides a comprehensive definition of "parent" that includes biological, adoptive, guardian, and surrogate parents. Additionally, the bill updates provisions for Braille instruction for students with visual impairments, removing the term "functionally blind" and aligning the language with federal regulations. The new definitions aim to provide clearer guidance for implementing special education services and ensure more precise understanding of educational support for children with disabilities. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Education

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0563&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB699