The New Hampshire Senate held a hearing on HB 634. I was unable to attend, but I did submit my testimony. The New Hampshire House passed HB634, to repeal the New Hampshire Autism Council. This council used private citizens’ information by forcing the reporting of autism diagnoses and then used that to get grant funding. The autism registry was previously repealed, bringing relief to those who were entered into this database without their permission.
The autism council is populated with lobbyists and special interest groups like ABLE NH. The council has administrative support paid for by the state. The autism council has not filed a report since 2019 and has done very little work. They have requested special privileges to hold a meeting virtually.
They have initiated this process, emailing out their links and denying the public the ability to attend a meeting in person or provide public comment. In fact, a parent has attempted to attend meetings, and they have held her in the waiting room and refused to give her meeting minutes or meeting records. This is an OBVIOUS violation of 91-A, and this council’s solution is for the Senate to pass a bill not only expanding their committee but also giving them special privileges to avoid 91-A. Is this what the government stands for now? Committees run by lobbyists and special interest groups who conduct business in the dark? No, thank you.
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