Revision: Jan. 9, 2021, 4:38 p.m.
HB 267 - AS INTRODUCED
2021 SESSION
21-0223
06/04
HOUSE BILL 267
AN ACT relative to construction standards for schools.
SPONSORS: Rep. M. Pearson, Rock. 34; Rep. Nelson, Carr. 5; Rep. Woods, Merr. 23; Rep. Merchant, Sull. 4; Rep. Porter, Hills. 1; Rep. Knirk, Carr. 3
COMMITTEE: Education
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires all school building construction to meet certain acoustics standards.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
21-0223
06/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty One
AN ACT relative to construction standards for schools.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings. Excessive noise levels and reverberations make it difficult for all children to learn, and particularly those with hearing difficulties, learning disabilities, and English language learners. It is the will of the legislature that all new or substantially remodeled educational spaces be constructed to meet or exceed the requirements of the current version of ANSI S12.60 the American National Standard Acoustical Performance Criteria.
2 New Section; School Building Construction Standards; Acoustics. Amend RSA 199 by inserting after section 1 the following new section:
199:1-a School Building Construction Standards.
I. All public schools, chartered public schools, and private schools that receive public funds shall be constructed to meet or exceed the standards of the ANSI S12.60-2010 American National Standard Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools, including:
(a) Part 1, permanent schools.
(b) Part 2, relocatable classroom factors.
(c) Part 4, acoustical standards for physical education teaching environments.
II. In addition to the requirements of paragraph I, all learning spaces used as the primary education space for a child who is deaf or hard of hearing shall meet the current requirements of ANSI S12.60. Buildings constructed before the effective date of this section shall meet the standard by August 1, 2026.
III. A school district may request a waiver from the department of education for meeting the requirements of this section.
IV. Compliance with this section shall be certified in writing by the lead architect.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.