Rep. Loren Selig

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to change how New Hampshire calculates and funds special education costs by including them directly in the state's education tax and grant formulas. It would require the state to pay 95 percent of the costs for services listed in a student's Individualized Education Plan, whether provided by the school district or contracted outside providers. Additionally, the legislation removes a separate line item for special education funding from the general "adequate education" calculation, aiming to streamline how schools receive financial support for these students. The bill also updates state statutes to clarify that special education is part of the state's duty to provide an adequate education and outlines procedures for reimbursing districts and prorating funds when students transfer between districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1657 establishes new laws to prohibit hazing at secondary and post-secondary educational institutions in New Hampshire by defining hazing as any act that forces a student to violate laws, consume harmful substances, endure physical or mental abuse, or risk their health and safety. The bill imposes criminal penalties on individuals and organizations that knowingly participate in hazing and requires schools to report serious incidents to local authorities within 72 hours. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the law mandates that all students and student organization advisors complete an anti-hazing education program before participating in school activities. Additionally, educational institutions must publicly report annual findings of hazing violations on their websites while protecting the privacy of individual students.

Maddy summaryHB 1084 proposes to update the qualifications required for the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Department of Education. Under this bill, these leaders would need to hold an advanced degree, possess current certification as a teacher or school administrator, and have at least five years of combined experience in public school teaching or administration. The legislation also establishes a four-year term for these positions, allowing for reappointment, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to study how restorative justice models could be used as an alternative accountability system for juveniles under eighteen who commit misdemeanor offenses or hate crimes. The committee, composed of four state legislators, will gather evidence-based best practices and collaborate with state agencies and advocates to develop specific recommendations for new laws. By November 1, 2024, the group must submit a report detailing its findings and proposed legislation to state officials and the governor. The bill does not change current laws or create new programs immediately but instead sets up a process to evaluate and potentially implement restorative justice practices in the future.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new funding formula for public schools in New Hampshire, setting a base cost of $4,404 per student to provide an adequate education starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It introduces two new types of financial assistance: relief funding for districts with high rates of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and fiscal capacity disparity aid for municipalities with lower property values compared to a specific threshold. The legislation also adjusts how the state calculates total education grants by adding these new aid amounts and includes a hold harmless provision to protect certain districts from funding decreases during the transition.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the state calculates funding for students with special education needs, directly affecting school districts and the families of these students. It establishes different funding levels based on the intensity of services a student receives, distinguishing between those who attend regular classes most of the day, those with partial inclusion, and those in separate schools or homebound settings. The legislation also introduces a new method for adjusting these costs in the future by applying specific numerical multipliers to a base funding amount. These changes are designed to ensure that financial support aligns more closely with the actual resources required to educate students with disabilities.