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Special Education Rights in New Hampshire

The timelines, deadlines, and rights that apply to YOUR child's IEP in New Hampshire — in plain language, with the actual law attached. Verified citations, no legalese, no paywall on knowledge.

60 calendar days from receipt of written parental consent to complete evaluations and determine eligibility.
Evaluation deadline
New Hampshire does not specify a separate response timeline beyond the federal requirement.
School must respond
30 calendar days after eligibility determination, the IEP must be developed. Results sent to parents at least 5 days before the meeting.
IEP after eligibility
$18,900
Sped spend per pupil · 7th in U.S.

The New Hampshire timelines that protect your child

Federal law (IDEA) sets the floor; New Hampshire sets some of its own clocks. These are the ones parents use most:

Evaluation

60 calendar days from receipt of written parental consent to complete evaluations and determine eligibility.

Response to your written request

New Hampshire does not specify a separate response timeline beyond the federal requirement.

IEP development

30 calendar days after eligibility determination, the IEP must be developed. Results sent to parents at least 5 days before the meeting.

State complaint

Written complaint filed with NH DOE. Must include specific allegations and supporting facts. — New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education. File violation must have occurred within 1 year of filing date. Resolved in 60 calendar days from receipt of complaint.

Due process

Resolution session: Within 15 days of due process complaint filing. Hearing decision: 45 days after resolution period ends. New Hampshire uses hearing officers from the DOE for due process..

Tip: every one of these clocks starts with something in writing. Emails count. Phone calls don't.

What New Hampshire law actually says

New Hampshire Revised Statutes
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 186-C:3

New Hampshire special-education entitlement statute. Establishes FAPE for children with disabilities ages 3-21. NH has Ed 1109 (the NH Standards for the Education of Students with Disabilities) — uniquely NH operational standards.

What this means for you: NH 60 calendar days evaluation. NH Ed 1109 standards include unique NH requirements like 45-day deadline for prior written notice on placement changes. Parent Information Center of NH (PIC-NH) is the state PTI. NH has strong stay-put case law layered onto IDEA.

New Hampshire Administrative Rules
N.H. Code Admin. R. Ed § 1109.04

New Hampshire IEP rule. Requires IEP within 30 calendar days of eligibility. NH adds: (1) IEP team must include a representative of the LEA with authority to commit resources, (2) annual review with parent participation required, and (3) 45-day deadline for prior written notice on placement changes.

What this means for you: NH 45-day PWN deadline on placement changes — one of the strictest nationally. NH LEA representative must have committable authority. NH Education Department's Bureau of Special Education monitors compliance annually. Parent Information Center of NH (PIC-NH) is the state PTI.

New Hampshire-specific things parents should know

Free help in New Hampshire — who to call

Parent Information Center (PIC)

New Hampshire PTI providing free information, training, and support to families of children with disabilities. Offers IEP workshops, individual support, and publications.

📞 (800) 947-7005

picnh.org

New Hampshire Department of Education (NH DOE)

Bureau of Special Education

📞 (603) 271-3741

State special ed office →

File a state complaint

The official New Hampshire complaint process — use it when the school isn't following the IEP or the law.

Official complaint page →

Disability Rights Center - NH

New Hampshire protection & advocacy organization — legal advocacy for people with disabilities.

📞 (603) 228-0432

www.drcnh.org

Quick answers

How long does a school have to evaluate my child in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire: 60 calendar days from receipt of written parental consent to complete evaluations and determine eligibility.. (Context: federal law sets a default of 60 calendar days from parental consent — 34 CFR § 300.301(c) — and allows each state to set its own timeframe. New Hampshire's rule is the one that applies.)

How quickly must the school respond if I request an evaluation in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire does not specify a separate response timeline beyond the federal requirement.

How do I file a special education complaint in New Hampshire?

Written complaint filed with NH DOE. Must include specific allegations and supporting facts. — New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education. Time limit: Violation must have occurred within 1 year of filing date. Resolution: 60 calendar days from receipt of complaint.

Is there free help for parents in New Hampshire?

Yes. Parent Information Center (PIC) is New Hampshire's federally funded Parent Training and Information center — free help for families — (800) 947-7005.

Get answers about YOUR child's situation — with the law attached

Ask Know Your Rights any New Hampshire IEP question in plain language, free. And before the school year starts, run the free Fall IEP Audit — it grades last spring's IEP so you know exactly what to push on.

Ask Know Your Rights → Run the Free Fall Audit

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