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HB 634 · 2025 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Autism spectrum disorders council changes

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to the New Hampshire council on autism spectrum disorders.

Revises the membership and duties of the New Hampshire council on autism spectrum disorders.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · May 15, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill revises the membership and duties of the New Hampshire council on autism spectrum disorders. The bill is a request of the New Hampshire council on autism spectrum disorders.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“There is established a council on autism spectrum disorders (NHCASD) to provide leadership in promoting comprehensive and quality education, health care, and services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.”
RSA 171-A:32
“A quorum of the council shall be a half plus one member of the appointed members of the council.”
RSA 171-A:32
“Members for whom it is not reasonably practical to attend in-person may participate remotely, and the reason for remote participation shall be stated in the minutes of the meeting.”
RSA 171-A:32
“The department of health and human services shall provide administrative support to the council.”
RSA 171-A:32

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jerry StringhamDPrime

Rep. Jess EdwardsR

Public testimony

17 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

53% support47% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I believe that humans should have a right to decide on ending their lives! Many people have chronic conditions or terminal diagnosis and want to die with dignity.”
— Catherine Domingos, Hamptonsupports
“I am Autistic and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am a clinical mental health therapist who specializes in neurodivergent-affirming care and Autism Spectrum Disorder. I'm glad to see a proposal like this one for many reasons.…”
— Holloway Testerman, Manchestersupports
“My name is Amy Rheaume and I am a parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder here in New Hampshire. I am also a board certified behavior analyst and consistently have requests from families for resources.…”
— Amy Rheaume, Derrysupports
“Really I began attending the meetings myself since they came back after a hiatus over issues or a maternity leave from member of the council. Once the council resumed by Zoom starting in June. remotely.…”
— SHANNON Bouchard, Sandownopposes
“Absolute waste of taxpayer funds. Totally illegal to count remote disabled people as in person. More rule breaking. Not ok,”
— Hannah Bouchard, SAndownopposes
“My name is Moira Ryan and I am writing to the committee to oppose HB634. I further suggest that HB634 be amended to disband the Autism Committee. I am a parent of an autistic person and have seen the autism committee as a dysfunctional body.…”
— Moira Ryan, Londonderryopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2025Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs1:10:06–1:14:264m 20slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor3:59:12–4:01:422m 30slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0344h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0344h (NT) — adopted, division 201-171
  • Apr 16, 2025Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration1:11:48–1:17:195m 31slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1988s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1988s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-1988s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:21:28–1:22:371m 9slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1988s (Rep. W. MacDonald) — adopted, division 193-155

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 3 P. 19
  2. Jan 29, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  3. Jan 29, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/29/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  4. Feb 19, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0344h (NT) 02/19/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 14 P. 23
  5. Feb 26, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 6, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0344h (NT): AA DV 201-171 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 59
  7. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0344h: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 60
  8. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
  9. Apr 16, 2025SenHearing: 04/16/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 17
  10. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1988s, 05/15/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 21
  11. May 15, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1988s, AA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  12. May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1988s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  13. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1988s (Rep. W. MacDonald): MA DV 193-155 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory CouncilExplainer

    Connecticut Office of Policy and Management — Describes a state autism advisory council's makeup and its role advising officials on services and policy.AI-generated

  • About UsNH context

    NH Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders — The council's own account of its statutory mission to coordinate autism-related health, education, and services in New Hampshire.AI-generated

  • Opinion: When accountability matters more than labelsSupporters

    Concord Monitor — An op-ed making the streamlining and accountability case that informs HB 1337's repeal of the council.AI-generated

  • HB 1337 (2026)NH context

    Citizens Count — A nonpartisan summary of the bill repealing the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders and its status.AI-generated

  • Public PolicyCritics

    Autism Society — An advocacy organization's view on the value of dedicated bodies and forums that shape autism services and policy.AI-generated

  • The New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum DisordersNH context

    New Hampshire Family Voices — A family-support organization's description of the council's origins and work in the state.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.