Senator Kahn Urges Governor Sununu to Sign HB 1558, Omnibus Education Bill

Contact Name: Sara Persechino

Phone: (603) 271-3479

Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us

CONCORD - Today, HB 1558, an omnibus education bill, was delivered to the Secretary of State. The bill previously passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the House with bipartisan support in a vote of 201-129. It next goes to the governor’s desk where he will have five business days to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without his signature.

Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) issued the following statement in response:

“HB 1558 combines efforts of many House and Senate members, Republicans and Democrats, as well as stakeholders, to bring together legislation that makes improvements for our schools, students, towns and municipalities at a time when there is a clear need for consistent guidance and defined funding mechanisms.

This legislation provides safety guidance, access to behavioral health resources and training programs, updated policies on discipline and suspension, brain injury recovery, sexual abuse prevention training, multi-tiered systems of support for behavioral wellness, change of school assignment, reporting violence in schools and criminal history background checks of school bus drivers and attendants. It gives our districts greater flexibility to address fiscal concerns when budgets and revenues are uncertain, increases reserve limits, provides funding to districts transitioning to full-day kindergarten funding during this biennium, provides a seat for the Chancellor of the university system on the department of business and economic affairs council of partner agencies, and creates a clearer pathway for businesses to participate in economic revitalization zones and graduate retention incentive partnerships.

HB 1558 is designed to incorporate bills with bipartisan legislative support and we are hopeful that the governor will provide his support and signature for this timely legislation.”

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