Bill > HB1563

This bill modifies the special education aid formula for school districts in New Hampshire, changing how the state and districts share costs for students with high-need special education services. The bill establishes a new threshold where school districts are responsible for the first $60,000 of a special education student's costs, and then the state and district share subsequent expenses in a tiered structure. Specifically, from $60,000 to $200,000, the district pays 20% and the state pays 80%, and beyond $200,000, the district pays 10% and the state pays 90%, with a maximum state reimbursement of $160,000 per student. The bill also introduces more stringent requirements for districts to document and justify special education expenses, mandating that they first seek alternative funding sources like Medicaid and provide detailed documentation of costs. Eligible expenses primarily include specialized services directly benefiting a student's individualized education program, such as specialized instruction, therapies, adaptive equipment, and specific transportation needs. The changes aim to place greater fiscal responsibility on school districts while providing a structured mechanism for state support, with the goal of managing escalating special education costs. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2028, and could potentially increase administrative burden for the Department of Education due to more complex reporting and review processes.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1610&inflect=2