HB 1553-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-2825
02/05
HOUSE BILL 1553-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Rep. Emerick, Rock. 29; Rep. Edwards, Rock. 31; Sen. Avard, Dist 12
COMMITTEE: Education
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a "Spelling to Communicate" pilot program for students with autism and/or apraxia, and makes an appropriation therefor.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2825
02/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Spelling to Communicate Pilot Program. Amend RSA 186-C by inserting after section 7-c the following new section:
186-C:7-d Spelling to Communicate Pilot Program.
I. The department of education shall establish the spelling to communicate pilot program offering "Spelling to Communicate" (S2C) services to students with autism and/or apraxia enrolled in an individualized education program under RSA 186-C:7. "Spelling to Communicate" is a methodology established by the International Association for Spelling as Communication (I-ASC). Any services provided through grant funding under this program shall be provided by trained practitioners who have been certified by I-ASC. The department shall use the following criteria to measure the effectiveness of the program:
(a) Whether the pilot program was implemented according to the criteria established by the I-ASC.
(b) The number of students served and family profile information for the students served, including the percentages of students served by town.
(c) The total cost and the cost per student for the program.
II. Under this program, any parent may submit an application on forms provided by the department for a grant of up to $4,500 per fiscal year. Applications shall be accepted through December 31, 2025, and grant funds awarded must be expended by June 30, 2027, after which time any unused grant funds shall be remitted to the department and returned to the general fund.
III. If the student is enrolled in a public or nonpublic school, the grant shall be distributed directly to the school district or nonpublic school. If the student is not enrolled in a public or nonpublic school, the department may contract with an external organization to oversee distribution of the grants or may disburse the funds directly to the student's parents.
IV. Grant funds shall be used to pay for the services of a certified S2C practitioner, and may not be used for any other purpose. Grant funds shall be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
V. The commissioner of the department of education shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
2 Appropriation. The sum of $125,000 is hereby appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 and the sum of $125,000 is hereby appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 to the department of education for the purpose of funding the spelling to communicate pilot program. Of these amounts appropriated, $25,000 for each fiscal year may be allocated by the department to cover administrative costs for the program. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for the general fund portion of such sum from any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Repeal. RSA 186-C:7-d, relative to spelling to communicate pilot program, is repealed.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
24-2825
11/29/23
HB 1553-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| |||||
Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | ||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures | $0 | Program Grants - $100,000 Per Year NHDOE Position Cost - $115,000 Per Year | ||||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations | $0 | $125,000 | $125,000 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] No • Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] No | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the Department of Education to establish the spelling to communicate pilot program, offering "Spelling to Communicate" (S2C) services to students with autism and/or apraxia. Under the program, any parent may apply, on forms provided by the Department, for a grant of up to $4,500, per fiscal year, for applicable services. The program would sunset July 1, 2027.
This bill provides $125,000 in general funds in each FY 2025 and FY 2026 for program uses, allowing for the Department to retain up to $25,000 in each year for administrative costs. The Department states it would likely need one new position to administer this program (program specialist IV, labor grade 25), which is estimated to have a total cost of approximately $115,000 per year (including salary, benefits, and other related costs). It is assumed the entire $125,000 appropriation in this bill would be expended in each FY 2025 and FY 2026; $100,000 for program grants and $25,000 for Department costs ($90,000 remains unfunded, to cover the full cost of the position). This bill provides no funding for FY 2027. It should be noted that this bill also does not provide authorization for a new position.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 16, 2024 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 22, 2024 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 30, 2024 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 31, 2024 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 30, 2024 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 8, 2024: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 202-178 02/08/2024 HJ 4 P. 16
Feb. 1, 2024: Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
Feb. 1, 2024: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/30/2024 (Vote 13-7; RC)
Jan. 25, 2024: ==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 01/31/2024 10:00 am LOB 205-207
Jan. 25, 2024: ==RECESSED== Executive Session: 01/30/2024 10:00 am LOB 205-207
Jan. 17, 2024: Public Hearing: 01/22/2024 09:30 am LOB 205-207
Jan. 5, 2024: ==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/16/2024 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
Dec. 11, 2023: Introduced 01/03/2024 and referred to Education HJ 1 P. 24