HB 1558, Omnibus Education Bill Signed Into Law

Contact Name: Sara Persechino

Phone: (603) 271-3479

Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us

CONCORD - Today, HB 1558, an omnibus education bill was signed into law.

Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) issued the following statement in response:

“This bill combines efforts of many House and Senate members, Republicans and Democrats, as well as stakeholders, to bring together legislation that makes improvements for our schools, students, towns and municipalities.

Every child and teacher should have the support they need in school to be successful. This legislation provides guidance for schools to assure safety, have access to behavioral health resources and training programs, have greater flexibility to address fiscal concerns when budgets and revenues are uncertain.

The welfare of children in schools is addressed through sections updating policies on discipline and suspension, brain injury recovery, sexual abuse prevention training, multi-tiered systems of support for behavioral wellness, change of school assignment, reporting violence in schools and criminal history background checks of school bus drivers and attendants.

School district funding concerns are addressed through increased reserve limits, setting bond authorization levels at town meetings, and funding to districts transitioning to full-day kindergarten funding during this biennium.

I thank my colleagues for their support. These changes will keep New Hampshire schools competitive with changes made in surrounding states and across the country.”

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