HB1605: relative to alternative education programs for granting credit leading to graduation.

HB 1605-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2024 SESSION

24-2392

02/10

HOUSE BILL 1605-FN

AN ACT relative to alternative education programs for granting credit leading to graduation.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gibbons, Hills. 20; Rep. Vail, Hills. 6; Rep. Cormen, Graf. 15; Rep. Hoyt, Graf. 7; Rep. Faulkner, Ches. 10; Rep. Cascadden, Coos 5; Rep. Cannon, Straf. 12; Rep. A. Murray, Hills. 20

COMMITTEE: Education

ANALYSIS

This bill requires all alternative learning programs for granting credit leading to graduation to comply with state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2392

02/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

AN ACT relative to alternative education programs for granting credit leading to graduation.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Substantive Educational Content of an Adequate Education; Approval of Alternative Programs. Amend RSA 193-E:2-a, V(b) to read as follows:

(b) The state board of education shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the approval of alternative programs for granting credit leading to graduation.

(1) A for-profit or nonprofit entity that offers an educational program approved under this section shall comply with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

(2) The state board of education shall annually review all entities that offer an educational program approved under this section for continued compliance with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws. Entities found in non-compliance shall be referred to the human rights commission.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBA

24-2392

12/11/23

HB 1605-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to alternative education programs for granting credit leading to graduation.

FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue Fund(s)

None

Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

Appropriations

$0

$0

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

None

• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] See Below

• Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] N/A

The Department of Education was contacted on 11/09/23 for a fiscal note worksheet, with follow-up contact made on 11/30/23. If information is received, a revised fiscal note will be forward to the House Clerk’s Office.

METHODOLOGY:

This bill changes the current language in RSA 193-E:2-a, V(b) to provide for the annual referral of a charge of discrimination by the State School Board of Education to the Human Rights Commission for adjudication. The Commission states it is unclear whether the proposed change will have a fiscal impact since it is uncertain if additional resources would be needed to field calls, answer emails, or other communications related to the addition of this action. The Commission further states it is also unclear as to whether the referral of entities found in non-compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws would comply with established statutory timelines for reporting in current law.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Education and Human Rights Commission