This bill amends New Hampshire's special education laws, specifically RSA 186-C:2, by introducing new definitions and clarifying existing ones. Key insertions include the terms "Bureau," referring to the bureau of special education support, and "Acquired brain injury," which describes a brain injury occurring post-birth that negatively impacts a child's educational performance. The definition of "Approved program" is expanded to encompass various educational settings providing special education services, while a new term, "Approved educational environment," is established to denote special education settings sanctioned by the Bureau. Additionally, the term "special education" is modified to highlight specially designed instruction tailored to the unique needs of children with disabilities, and outdated language regarding program approval is removed.

The bill also addresses the education of students with visual impairments by introducing new definitions related to Braille instruction. It defines "specially designed instruction" to ensure that it meets the needs of students with disabilities and mandates that Braille instruction is provided unless a special education team unanimously decides otherwise. The terminology is updated from "functionally blind pupils" to "students with visual impairments," and a presumption is established that proficiency in Braille is crucial for these students' educational progress. Furthermore, the bill requires a learning media assessment by a certified teacher every three years, with annual reviews to ensure that the educational needs of students with visual impairments are adequately met. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 186-C:2
As Amended by the House: 186-C:2, 186-C:7-b
Version adopted by both bodies: 186-C:2, 186-C:7-b
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 186-C:2, 186-C:7-b