Hannah Bouchard

I strongly support HB 1337. The New Hampshire Autism Council has not functioned as intended for years. Families and autistic adults have not seen measurable outcomes, accountability, or meaningful improvements tied to this Council’s work. A council that exists mostly on paper creates the appearance of oversight while failing to deliver results. That is worse than no council at all — it misleads families into believing there is a mechanism advocating for their needs when there is not. Despite a lack of consistent meetings, transparency, or annual reports, the Council was still able to influence legislation in 2022, changing its own membership and quorum requirements. That raises serious concerns about governance, accountability, and whose voices are truly being represented. Parents and autistic individuals deserve real engagement, real transparency, and real outcomes — not gatekeeping or symbolic advisory bodies that do not serve the community. Repealing this failed structure is not abandoning autism services. It is an honest acknowledgment that this model does not work and that New Hampshire must pursue better, more accountable ways to support autistic people and their families. For these reasons, I urge you to support HB 1337. Thank you for your time and consideration.