Rep. Rick Ladd

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Public School Infrastructure Fund to be used for purchasing energy-efficient school buses and other student transportation vehicles. It achieves this by amending state law to explicitly include these vehicles in the list of eligible projects the governor can approve, alongside other school infrastructure needs. The change ensures that funds previously restricted to building projects can now support greener transportation options for students. The legislation took effect on August 13, 2024, following its signing by the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the validity period of criminal background checks for teacher credentialing applicants from three years to four years. The change directly affects individuals seeking teaching credentials by allowing their existing background check results to remain valid for an additional year. Once passed, the new rule will take effect 60 days after the legislation is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire high schools to provide students with information and access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Schools must offer guidance on financial aid eligibility, application deadlines, and the benefits of early submission, while also making the FAFSA form available upon request. The legislation mandates that schools handle any shared personal information in compliance with privacy laws and removes a previous requirement for schools to report on how many students completed the form.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that the state's standardized testing program will only cover reading and language arts, mathematics, and science, while leaving history, government, geography, civics, and economics as required subjects to be taught but assessed locally. Under the new rules, local school boards must ensure their own tests for these non-tested subjects align with state standards and local learning goals. The legislation also specifies that statewide exams should focus on measuring student understanding of key concepts and skills rather than broad content coverage. These changes take effect on August 13, 2024, and directly impact how schools in the state evaluate student performance in various academic areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1665 raises the annual household income limit for students to qualify for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program from 350 percent to 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. This change directly affects families with higher incomes who currently do not meet the eligibility requirements to use these accounts for private or home schooling options. The bill also adjusts the definitions of average daily membership in attendance and residence to align with the updated eligibility criteria. By expanding the income threshold, the legislation allows more students to access state-funded education vouchers, while excluding students in the special school district within the Department of Corrections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Hampshire Department of Education to hire an outside contractor to evaluate the physical condition of public and public chartered schools. The resulting assessment will create a ranked list identifying which schools need construction or renovation the most. Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts submit long-term capital improvement plans every two years to help the state prioritize future funding. These steps are designed to develop a ten-year strategy for maintaining safe and efficient learning environments.