New Hampshire HB 1791: directing the department of education to establish a grant program at the post-secondary educational level for individuals with developmental disabilities, and making an appropriation therefor.

Bill Text

HB 1791-FN-A - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2757

 12/09

HOUSE BILL 1791-FN-A

AN ACT directing the department of education to establish a grant program at the post-secondary educational level for individuals with developmental disabilities, and making an appropriation therefor. 

SPONSORS: Rep. Burton, Straf. 10

COMMITTEE: Education Funding

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ANALYSIS

 This bill establishes the New Hampshire inclusive higher education program for students with developmental disabilities, the purpose of which is to award grants to public higher education institutions to increase programming and support for students with developmental disabilities. This bill also appropriates funds to the department of education for the program.

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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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2757

 12/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT directing the department of education to establish a grant program at the post-secondary educational level for individuals with developmental disabilities, and making an appropriation therefor. 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Section; Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program for Students with Developmental Disabilities. Amend RSA 186-C by inserting after section 12 the following new section: 

 186-C:12-a Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program for Students with Developmental Disabilities Established. 

 I. The department of education shall establish an inclusive higher education grant program for students with developmental disabilities. The purpose of this competitive grant program is to award grants to public institutions of higher education to increase available programming and support available to students with developmental disabilities. 

 II. The department of education shall: 

 (a) Include in the administration of the grant program a representative of at least one of the following offices within the bureau of special education support: the office of finance and data management, the office of special education training and monitoring, and the office of special programs;

 (b) Develop and send to each public institution of higher education the following materials related to the grant program: 

 (1) Materials describing the purpose and goals of the grant program;

 (2) An application for the grant program;

 (3) Compliance requirements and information concerning available funding; and

 (4) Information specifying the requirements for qualifying as a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program under the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 United States Code section 1140. 

 (c) Designate a person to be available to answer questions from public institutions of higher education in New Hampshire concerning grant program qualifications and funding;

 (d) Develop application requirements consistent with RSA 186:C-12-a, III; 

 (e) Develop employment opportunities for students participating in the program using existing vocational rehabilitative services; and

 (f) Review and approve applications and award grants to public institutions of higher education in New Hampshire on a competitive basis. 

 III. For a public institution of higher education to qualify under the grant program, the proposed program plan must: 

 (a) Offer support necessary to allow students with developmental disabilities equal educational opportunities, rights, and privileges as students without developmental disabilities;

 (b) Ensure that students with developmental disabilities have access to the academic courses students without developmental disabilities may attend by complying with the course selection guideline requirements of RSA 186:C-12-a, V;

 (c) Ensure that students with developmental disabilities have access to and support for participation in campus life, including social activities and organizations, institution facilities, and other institution resources available to students without developmental disabilities; 

 (d) Provide students with developmental disabilities support and experience necessary to seek and sustain competitive employment;

 (e) Develop and promote self-determination skills for students with developmental disabilities, including but not limited to life skills, independent skills, and vocational skills;

 (f) Offer peer mentoring services to students with developmental disabilities if these services are available to students without developmental disabilities;

 (g) Adopt admissions standards that do not require students with developmental disabilities to possess a high school di