nhsba

New Hampshire School Boards Association

Legislative Bulletin

December 22, 2015

  

A Brief Summary of Education Issues at the State House  

Welcome Back to Another Legislative Session with Education Updates from NHSBA
 
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The 2016 Legislative Session Will Begin January 6
NHSBA hopes you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.  After the holiday, legislative business will begin in earnest.  While many bills have been drafted for the upcoming session, actual language is still not available for many and we await their introduction and assignment to committee.  However, there is much unfinished business from the 2015 session scheduled for action during the first week of the session.  Many bills from 2015 were retained or created studies (see NHSBA 2015 Legislative Summary), with legislative work conducted over the summer and fall.
 
Municipal Liability
SB41, adopted last session, created a committee to study government immunity from suit. The committee was specifically charged to "study the recent state supreme court decisions construing or ruling on state statutes regarding negligence and intentional torts by governmental entities, the lack of statutes of limitations for enforcement actions by governmental entities, and the denial of equitable or declaratory relief to challenge actions by all levels of government." While specific language has yet to be made available, recommendations of the committee indicated intent to propose legislation that would significantly expand school district exposure to lawsuits.  Bulletins this year will keep boards apprised of this important issue for the upcoming session.
 
Mandatory Drug Education
The legislature's Joint Task Force on Response to the Heroin and Opioid Crisis is proposing expedited legislation in January relative to drug education.  The proposal calls for, "Each public school in the state, as part of their health education curriculum, shall provide at each grade level age appropriate drug and alcohol education to pupils from kindergarten through grade 12.  The school board may authorize the use of an evidence-based prevention program."  A joint House and Senate hearing on the proposal is expected in early January.
 
In Addition
The House and Senate will address several retained bills from last year when they convene on January 6.  Among those of interest to school board members include the following (Note: OTP, Ought to Pass; OTP/A Ought to Pass with Amendment; ITL Inexpedient to Legislate):
 
In the Senate
SB25 allows schools to acquire and maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors, requires designated personnel to receive training in the administration of epinephrine, and establishes immunity from civil liability for the good faith acts of individuals administering epinephrine to a student. Senate Education Committee recommendation OTP/A 4-0.
SB152 amends the disclosure procedures for criminal history records checks performed on school employees and volunteers.  It requires the state police to release a copy of the records check to the SAU, rather than the current police report indicating only the presence or absence of certain felony convictions.  This bill is a priority for NHSBA and received a unanimous (4-0) recommendation of Ought to Pass by the Senate Education Committee.
HB555 clarifies the ability of public chartered school pupils to participate in programs and co-curricular activities in their resident district. Senate Education Committee recommendation OTP/A 4-0.
 
In the House
HB218 provides an additional adequacy aid stipend for each 3rd grade pupil not testing at the proficient level or above on the mathematics component of the statewide assessment.  House Education Committee recommendation OTP/A 14-6.
HB301 as amended creates a study committee to examine the student unique pupil identifier and state department of education databases relative to security and personal information. House Education Committee recommendation OTP/A 12-7.
HB471 further defines the responsibilities of local school boards for district curriculum and standards. House Education Committee recommendation OTP/A 12-8.
HB538 addressed a transition period for implementing new statewide assessments.  Committee members believed more time was needed to study the issue. House Education Committee recommendation Refer for Interim Study 11-9.
HB549 proposes that school building aid be annually set at no less than $50 million.  In addition, it reduces all aid percentage entitlements by 5%. House Education Committee recommendation OTP/A 17-2.
HB581 would require schools to continue the education of a child during the child's suspension or expulsion. Committee members believed more time was needed to study the issue. House Education Committee recommendation Refer for Interim Study 19-0.
HB611 would require legislative approval of all agreements, contracts, grants, or waivers involving the Department of Education or State Board of Education. House Education Committee recommendation ITL 14-5.
SB157 requires students to obtain a passing grade on a locally developed civics assessment as part of the high school history and government course. House Education Committee recommendation OTP/A 14-5.
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House Special Committee on Public Employee Pension Plans
This committee plans to continue its work and study more closely both cash balance plans and stacked hybrid plans.  In addition to possible new legislation, the committee is recommending Refer for Interim Study on two bills:
HB369 establishes a defined contribution retirement plan for public employees and HB556 establishes a cash balance plan.
 
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NHSBA Delegate Assembly - Saturday, January 16, 2016
Saturday, January 16th, is the 2016 NHSBA Delegate Assembly at the Local Government Center in Concord, NH.  The morning begins with workshops addressing Recording in Classrooms, Best Practices In School Board Leadership, and a historical perspective on NH school funding.  The afternoon concludes with discussion, debate, and adoption of resolutions that will serve as NHSBA's guide during this session of the Legislature.  Delegate Assembly packets and registration information are available on the NHSBA website.

For the complete text of any bill, go to the general court web site and enter the bill number, e.g. HB102, and make sure the Session Year is 2015. 

 

For more information on specific legislation, please call Dean Michener, NHSBA Director of Governmental Affairs at 603-228-2061, or email: [email protected]. 

Dean Michener
NHSBA Dir. of Governmental Affairs
[email protected]
603-228-2061