Text to be removed highlighted in red.
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.
4 Effective Date.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
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.
4 Effective Date.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2024.