1 New Section; Special Education; Commission Established. Amend RSA 186-C by inserting after section 28 the following new section:

186-C:28-a Commission Established.

I. There is established a commission to study equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in athletics.

II.(a) The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(1) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(2) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(3) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.

(4) One member of the New Hampshire School Boards Association, appointed by the association.

(5) One member of Special Olympics New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.

(6) One member of the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators, appointed by the association.

(7) One member of the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association, appointed by the association.

(b) Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

III.(a) The commission shall study school districts' efforts and ability to provide equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in athletic activities. The study shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Considering ways of expanding opportunities for students with disabilities to participate in extracurricular and nonacademic activities.

(2) Considering ways for students with disabilities to be allowed to try out for and if selected, participate in athletic programs.

(3) Considering ways for school districts to provide reasonable accomodations for students with disabilities to particpate in unified sports.

(4) Explore school districts' ability to provide an opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in active sports.

(b) The commission may solicit information from any person or entity the commission deems relevant to the commission's objective.

IV. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

V. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2018.

2 Repeal. RSA 186-C:28-a, commission to study equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in athletics, is repealed.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2018.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

1 New Section; Special Education; Commission Established. Amend RSA 186-C by inserting after section 28 the following new section:

186-C:28-a Commission Established.

I. There is established a commission to study equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in athletics.

II.(a) The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(1) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(2) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(3) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.

(4) One member of the New Hampshire School Boards Association, appointed by the association.

(5) One member of Special Olympics New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.

(6) One member of the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators, appointed by the association.

(7) One member of the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association, appointed by the association.

(b) Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

III.(a) The commission shall study school districts' efforts and ability to provide equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in athletic activities. The study shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Considering ways of expanding opportunities for students with disabilities to participate in extracurricular and nonacademic activities.

(2) Considering ways for students with disabilities to be allowed to try out for and if selected, participate in athletic programs.

(3) Considering ways for school districts to provide reasonable accomodations for students with disabilities to particpate in unified sports.

(4) Explore school districts' ability to provide an opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in active sports.

(b) The commission may solicit information from any person or entity the commission deems relevant to the commission's objective.

IV. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

V. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2018.

2 Repeal. RSA 186-C:28-a, commission to study equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in athletics, is repealed.

3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2018.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.