Bill would align expedited due‑process timelines with regular special‑education hearings, backers say

Representative Murphy (prime sponsor, introduced by a House designee) presented House Bill 753 to require that expedited due‑process hearings — those used in discipline cases — not exceed the timeline applicable to regular due‑process hearings. Supporters said delays in expedited hearings can leave students without timely resolution and disrupt educational programming.

Bonnie Dunham testified in support, explaining that a regular due‑process hearing must be completed within 45 calendar days (subject to a resolution session that can extend the period by up to 30 days); expedited hearings are currently required to finish within 20 school days with a decision sent within 10 school days. Dunham used a Manchester school calendar example to show how an expedited hearing requested near the end of the school year could result in decisions being issued well into the following school year, which she said undermines the purpose of an expedited process. She cited an Office of Special Education Programs letter clarifying that expedited hearings related to discipline should be resolved promptly so a child's program is not adversely affected.

Glenn Cordelli (representing Tuftonboro, Wolfeborough and surrounding towns) and other witnesses noted federal law allows states to adopt different procedural rules for expedited hearings but said this bill simply aims to ensure "expedited" remains expedited in practice.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. Testimony included citations and a handout with supporting footnotes. No committee action was recorded in the portion of the transcript provided; the hearing concluded and the committee moved on to other agenda items.