Committee Summary for Senate Education (01/21/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB34 00:03:20.319 - 8:02:22 AM	Public Hearing	relative to parental consent for student participation in Medicaid to schools program.	Ward, Ruth(R)[B-]2025
SB59 00:45:31.319 - 8:44:33 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a recruitment incentive program within the community college system for public safety communicators and dispatchers and making an appropriation therefor.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB57 01:03:32.000 - 9:02:34 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) establishing a study committee to analyze reducing the number of school administrative units and establishing a commission to study the costs of special education.	Murphy, Keith(R)[A]2025

SB34: Senator Ruth Ward, Senate District 8 Support00:03:20.319 - 8:02:22 AM; Senator Ward introduced SB34, which was recommended by the Committee to Study Consent and Confidentiality Laws Applicable to Adolescent and Young Adult Health Care in New Hampshire. The bill aims to require schools to obtain parental consent for each new service provided to a student under the Medicaid to schools program. It also mandates certain legislative policy committees to receive reports on the program. The intent is to enhance transparency, ensure parental involvement, and maintain continuity of care, especially in light of federal proposals to remove parental consent for services. Senator Ward emphasized the importance of this bill for adolescents and young adults, particularly those with disabilities who rely on parental involvement.
SB34: Shan Par, Manchester School Board Oppose00:07:52.879 - 8:06:54 AM; Shan Par, representing the Manchester School Board, opposed SB34. He argued that the bill would increase the administrative burden on schools, requiring parental consent for each new service, which could delay timely services to students, particularly those from families facing language barriers or multiple job commitments. Par highlighted that the bill could affect every IEP student in Manchester, potentially disrupting billing and budgeting processes. He emphasized that the bill could lead to less funding from Medicaid, placing a heavier financial burden on local taxpayers.
SB34: Christine Stoddard, Community Health Centers Oppose00:17:46.559 - 8:16:48 AM; Christine Stoddard, representing community health centers statewide, opposed SB34 due to the administrative burden it would impose. She shared personal experiences with her autistic child, noting the difficulty in providing consent for every service. Stoddard expressed concerns about the bill's potential to delay services and negatively impact health centers' finances. She also highlighted that the bill would treat Medicaid and commercially insured students differently, which she believes is unfair.
SB34: Betsy Beres, Amoskeag Health, Manchester Oppose00:22:25.640 - 8:21:27 AM; Betsy Beres from Amoskeag Health in Manchester opposed SB34, focusing on the challenges of obtaining consent for every change in a diagnosis code, which could delay services. She provided examples from mental health services in schools, where diagnosis codes might change without altering the treatment plan. Beres emphasized the need for timely care and suggested that the bill's current wording could hinder this. Both Beres and Stoddard offered to provide suggestions for amending the bill to address these concerns.
SB34: Anry Banfield, Parental Rights Advocate, New Hampshire Support00:29:05.080 - 8:28:07 AM; Anry Banfield spoke in support of SB34, emphasizing the importance of parental consent in medical and mental health services, particularly in relation to Medicaid billing. Banfield highlighted how parental consent can act as a safeguard against Medicaid fraud, citing examples from Texas where parents discovered unauthorized charges on their children's health insurance accounts. The advocate argued that parents reviewing these accounts could prevent billing mistakes and potential fraud investigations, which can have severe consequences like financial penalties, criminal charges, and disruption of school services. Banfield shared a personal anecdote about a parent whose son received an unauthorized psych evaluation in school, which could impact future opportunities like military or police service. The advocate stressed the need for SB34 to protect student privacy and prevent legal issues related to unauthorized sharing of information.
SB34: Becky Wilson, Director of Governmental Relations, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:34:27.199 - 8:33:29 AM; Becky Wilson provided information on SB34, clarifying that the New Hampshire School Boards Association was not taking a position on the bill. Wilson explained that the bill would not affect the provision of services to students with IEPs or 504 plans, as these have separate consent requirements. The focus of the bill is on Medicaid to schools billing and the potential impact on school district reimbursement. Wilson noted that the Medicaid to schools program is undergoing significant changes, and recommended coordination with Henry Litman from DHHS to align any new consent requirements with the upcoming changes. She expressed concerns about the potential complexity and cost of implementing new consent requirements, especially midstream during the changes to Medicaid to schools, and highlighted the importance of these reimbursements in offsetting local tax rates.
SB34: Jan Archal, Parent and Advocate Support00:40:53.800 - 8:39:55 AM; Jan Archal testified in support of SB34, sharing concerns from parents who felt their children were receiving school services without their knowledge. Archal discussed the lack of transparency in services provided outside of IEPs and 504 plans, and the difficulty parents face in obtaining information about these services. As a parent of a child with complex medical needs, Archal emphasized the importance of being informed about all services provided to ensure appropriate care, citing an example where her child's low blood sugar was misinterpreted as a behavioral issue. Archal also raised concerns about the interplay between state and federal laws regarding consent and privacy, and the potential long-term impact of services recorded in a child's educational record.
SB59: Senator David Waters, District Ford Support00:45:31.319 - 8:44:33 AM; Senator David Waters introduced Senate Bill 59, which aims to amend the existing Recruitment and Retention program for public safety personnel. The bill proposes to include public safety telecommunicators and dispatchers in the program, allow reimbursement for non-credit or non-degree programs, and establish a fund for covering incidental costs at the police academy. Waters reported on the program's success since its inception, noting increased enrollment and positive feedback from public safety departments. The senator emphasized the program's role in supporting career development and retention within public safety professions.
SB59: Steve Lavoy, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Safety Support00:55:41.319 - 8:54:43 AM; Steve Lavoy testified in support of the changes proposed in Senate Bill 59. He highlighted the recruitment challenges faced by the Department of Safety and the importance of including dispatchers in the program. Lavoy provided details on the fire academy programs and the current vacancies within the department's dispatch positions, emphasizing the need for the program to attract and retain telecommunicators and dispatchers. He addressed questions about the program's requirements and the impact on recruitment and retention.
SB59: John Skipper, Director, New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Support01:01:09.119 - 9:00:11 AM; John Skipper supported Senate Bill 59, emphasizing the inclusion of dispatchers in the Recruitment and Retention program and the need for funding to cover ancillary equipment costs at the police academy. Skipper noted the disparity in equipment provision among different police departments and the potential for the proposed fund to level the playing field for recruits. He addressed the committee's questions and reinforced the importance of the bill for enhancing recruitment and training within public safety.
SB57: Senator Murphy, District 16 Support01:03:32.000 - 9:02:34 AM; Senator Murphy introduced Senate Bill 57, which proposes the creation of a study committee to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of reorganizing New Hampshire's school system at the county level. The senator argued that this could lead to significant cost savings due to economies of scale and reduced administrative redundancies. Murphy acknowledged potential trade-offs, such as the loss of local control, and emphasized the need for thorough study before any decision. The senator provided data on educational spending and criticized local officials for shifting blame to the state legislature. Murphy also mentioned the ongoing Supreme Court case regarding additional state education funding and stressed the importance of considering cost-saving measures like those proposed in SB57.
SB57: Senator Murphy, District 16 Information Only01:06:17.240 - 9:05:19 AM; Senator Murphy addressed concerns about the bill's focus on reducing the number of school administrative units (SAUs) in the state. He pointed out that the bill starts with a presupposition that the current SAU framework is ineffective, rather than studying its effectiveness. He proposed comparing New Hampshire's model with county-based systems in other states, using Baltimore County as an example. He highlighted significant differences in per-pupil costs across districts and suggested that consolidating SAUs could address these disparities. He emphasized that he is not advocating for a specific solution but rather for a study to explore potential efficiencies.
SB57: Senator Apprentice Information Only01:09:23.560 - 9:08:25 AM; Senator Apprentice questioned the presupposition in the bill that SAUs are ineffective and suggested a more comprehensive study of education funding and administrative costs. He highlighted the differences between New Hampshire and Maryland's education systems, particularly regarding state income taxes used for education in Maryland. He expressed concerns about the immediate framing of SAUs as the problem and advocated for a broader examination of the framework and its implications.
SB57: Senator W Information Only01:11:41.440 - 9:10:43 AM; Senator W discussed the potential shift of responsibilities from municipalities to counties, using an example of ambulance service consolidation. He acknowledged the state's role in creating and modifying these entities and expressed interest in involving county officials in discussions about potential changes.
SB57: Senator Abis Information Only01:12:56.800 - 9:11:58 AM; Senator Abis emphasized the importance of responsible use of education funds and questioned the goal of the study committee. He suggested focusing on the cost and necessity of administrative positions within SAUs. He also inquired about the original purpose of SAUs and how their functions have evolved over time.
SB57: Darus Heny, former Schoolboard member from Nashua Information Only01:14:30.040 - 9:13:32 AM; Darus Heny provided historical context on the formation of SAUs, noting that they were intended to consolidate districts and save money. He suggested that a review of superintendents' duties and the cost-effectiveness of federal funds and mandates would be beneficial. He expressed concerns about centralizing control and the potential impact on parental involvement and student outcomes.
SB57: Ann Marie Banfield, parental rights advocate from Northampton Support01:16:01.719 - 9:15:03 AM; Amry Banfield expressed initial concerns about the impact of consolidation on parental voices but ultimately supported SB57. She shared high per-student costs in Northampton and highlighted the financial burden of SAUs on taxpayers. She criticized the high salaries of SAU administrators compared to teachers and other essential staff, using the example of a superintendent's involvement in a national program that she believes detracts from classroom needs. She suggested that consolidating SAUs could redirect funds to teachers and taxpayers, potentially alleviating financial pressures on residents.

Ward, Ruth(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Sullivan, Victoria(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025