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HB 1791 · 2026 · House · Education Funding Committee

Grants for developmental disability higher education

AI-generated

directing the department of education to establish a grant program at the post-secondary educational level for individuals with developmental disabilities, and making an appropriation therefor.

Establishes an inclusive higher education grant program awarding funds to public higher education institutions to expand programming and support for students with developmental disabilities, and appropriates funds for the program.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes the New Hampshire inclusive higher education program for students with developmental disabilities, the purpose of which is to award grants to public higher education institutions to increase programming and support for students with developmental disabilities. This bill also appropriates funds to the department of education for the program.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The department of education shall establish an inclusive higher education grant program for students with developmental disabilities.”
RSA 186-C:12-a
“For a public institution of higher education to qualify under the grant program, the proposed program plan must:”
RSA 186-C:12-a
“Ensure that students with developmental disabilities have access to the academic courses students without developmental disabilities may attend by complying with the course selection guideline requirements of RSA 186:C-12-a, V;”
RSA 186-C:12-a
“"Curriculum-based achievement college entrance examination" means a college entrance examination composed of questions directly related to high school curricula; and (2) "Curriculum-based achievement college entrance examination" does not include an examination primarily designed to measure scholastic aptitude;”
RSA 186-C:12-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Wayne BurtonDPrime

Public testimony

11 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

91% support9% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support this bill strongly! EFA's are out of control! Public funds are mostly being used for private education for students who never attended public schools. Funds are used for recreational purposes, and there is no accountability for their learning.…”
— Rose LaRochelle-Colby, Hampsteadsupports
“I support HB 1791. This bill expands access to post-secondary education for individuals with developmental disabilities and strengthens inclusive programs at New Hampshire’s public colleges.”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketsupports
“This program and the funding of it, provides individuals with disabilities to opportunity to live a meaningful life in their community. Inclusive educational opportunities lead to inclusive employment opportunities, adding meaning and and personal value/worth.…”
— Michelle St. John, Hollissupports

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
  • Feb 6, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseRoll callInexpedient to LegislateAdopted187–157How they voted
    Overall
    54% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    187–199% yea
    Democrats
    0–1560% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Funding39:53–47:107m 17slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Education FundingWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==CANCELLED== Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor47:06–51:454m 39slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, roll call 187-157

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 1 P. 36
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  3. Feb 3, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 02/03/2026 12:45 pm GP 232
  4. Feb 6, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/06/2026 12:45 pm GP 232
  5. Feb 6, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/06/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 7 P. 27
  6. Feb 11, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0449h (NT)
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 187-157 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 44

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

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

  • Developmental ServicesState agency

    NH Department of Health and Human Services — How the ten area agencies and the Medicaid waivers fit together — the system the oversight commission reviews.AI-generated

  • Disability Rights Center — New HampshireAdvocacy — NH

    Disability Rights Center-NH — The state's federally designated protection and advocacy agency, named in the notification duties.AI-generated

  • Bureau of Developmental ServicesState agency

    NH Department of Health and Human Services — The bureau named throughout the statute, and the abuse-reporting line for services recipients.AI-generated

  • Report adult abusePrimary source

    NH Department of Health and Human Services — New Hampshire's adult protection reporting duty, which the notification requirements sit on top of.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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