This bill amends RSA 193:1-c to expand access to curricular courses and cocurricular programs within school districts for students enrolled in education freedom accounts, as well as those from nonpublic and public charter schools and home-educated pupils. The new legal language specifies that these students shall have access to the same programs offered by their resident school district, including statewide assessments and the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). The local school board is required to adopt a policy that does not impose more restrictive conditions on these students than those applied to resident pupils. Additionally, the bill clarifies that "home educated pupils" includes children with disabilities until they graduate or reach the age of 21, and it ensures that parents are not required to exceed existing home education program requirements.

The bill also introduces a provision that states nothing in this section shall require parents to establish a home education program that exceeds the requirements of RSA 193:1 or RSA 193-A. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may result in significant costs at the local or state level depending on how many students take advantage of the expanded access. The Department of Education has indicated that the bill could conflict with existing funding principles, particularly regarding the funding of education freedom account students and the potential for unintended consequences, such as students being forced to disenroll from the EFA program if they access too many courses at their resident district.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 193:1-c
As Amended by the House: 193:1-c
Version adopted by both bodies: 193:1-c
HB1817 text: 193:1-c