Revision: March 11, 2026, 11:20 a.m.
HB 1215 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
11Mar2026... 0942h
2026 SESSION
26-2892
05/08
HOUSE BILL 1215
SPONSORS: Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. B. Boyd, Hills. 12; Rep. Newell, Ches. 4; Rep. Kuttab, Rock. 17; Rep. W. MacDonald, Rock. 16; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Carson, Dist 14
COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill supports the right of individuals with communication disabilities to use their preferred method of communication within the state service delivery system, including in residential settings and schools and with other service providers.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
11Mar2026... 0942h 26-2892
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Short Title. This act shall be known as “Grace’s Law”.
2 New Section; Services for the Developmentally Disabled; Right to Preferred Method of Communication. Amend RSA 171-A by inserting after section 4 the following new section:
171-A:4-a Right to Preferred Method of Communication.
I. An individual with a communication disability who is receiving services under this chapter shall have the right to select and utilize their preferred method of communication that enables such individual to independently express their own thoughts and wishes. Methods of communication that may enable an individual to independently express themselves include, but are not limited to, any of the following methods:
(a) Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) techniques and devices.
(b) Independent use of letterboards and independent typing-based communication.
(c) Sign language and non-verbal gestural systems.
(d) Speech-generating devices or any other assistive technology.
II. Every school, day, residential and other program or service provider involved in the implementation of the individual’s individualized education program or the individual’s service agreement shall make all reasonable efforts to accommodate an individual’s preferred method of communication, including securing necessary training to communicate with the individual using the individual’s preferred method of communication.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.