SB 340 (2024): relative to communication between parents and school districts regarding special education, special education reporting requirements, and the office of the advocate for special education.

SB 340 (2024)

relative to communication between parents and school districts regarding special education, special education reporting requirements, and the office of the advocate for special education.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Education
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General
• Chapter law: 351

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2024 and referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 30, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On February 8, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 22, 2024 and was referred to the House Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 27, 2024, with 4 people signed in online: 2 in support and 2 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on April 9, 2024 and May 14, 2024. The committee held a public hearing on May 14, 2024 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2024-1811h), with 239 people signed in online: 3 in support, 225 in opposition and 11 as neutral. The committee voted unanimously, 20–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. A floor amendment (2024-1995h) was adopted on a division vote 184–177 on May 23, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On May 23, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 186–176. On May 23, 2024 the House failed “Reconsider OTPA” on a division vote 175–188, on a motion by Rep. Rick Ladd. On May 30, 2024 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Ruth Ward. On May 30, 2024 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Rick Ladd. The Senate adopted the conference report (2024-2264c) on a voice vote. On June 13, 2024 the House adopted the conference report (2024-2264c) on a division vote 188–179. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on August 2, 2024, making it Chapter 351 of the session laws. It took effect on October 1, 2024.

Sponsors

• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Sen. Daryl Abbas (R - SD22)
• Rep. Glenn Cordelli (R - Carr 7)
• Rep. Carol McGuire (R - Merr 27)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 30, 2024, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Education, LOB 101
• March 27, 2024, 11:15 AM: public hearing, House Education, LOB 205-207
• April 9, 2024, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Education, LOB 205-207
• May 14, 2024, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Education, LOB 205-207
• June 4, 2024, 10:00 AM: committee of conference, SH 100
• June 5, 2024, 1:30 PM: committee of conference, SH 103

Votes

• February 8, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 23, 2024, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 184, nays 177, passed
• May 23, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1995h — yeas 186, nays 176, passed
• May 23, 2024, House: Reconsider OTPA — yeas 175, nays 188, failed
• May 30, 2024, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
• May 30, 2024, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 12, 2024, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 13, 2024, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — yeas 188, nays 179, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 186-C:7
• RSA 186-C:3-a
• RSA 186-C:38
• RSA 186-C:39
• RSA 186-C:23-a

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 5
• SC 6
• HC 20, page 15