This bill introduces automatic discovery procedures in due process hearings related to the enforcement of special education rights. It amends RSA 186-C:16-b by adding a new paragraph (III-b) that mandates school districts to provide specific core documents to the hearing officer and parents at least five business days before any prehearing conference. The core documents include IEP team deliberations, current and proposed IEPs, prior notices, evaluations, independent educational evaluations, and progress reports, all pertaining to the last three years. The bill clarifies that this requirement does not interfere with the parties' rights to comply with voluntary discovery requests.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that an updated copy of procedural safeguards must be provided to parents before the next IEP meeting. The act is set to take effect upon its passage, and while it is expected to have an indeterminable fiscal impact on local school districts due to the unpredictability of the number of actions that may arise, it does not project any immediate changes in local revenue or expenditures for the fiscal years 2025 through 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 186-C:16-b
As Amended by the House: 186-C:16-b
HB754 text: 186-C:16-b