Carleigh Beriont

To the Chair and Members of the House Judiciary Committee, My name is Carleigh Beriont, and I’m writing in strong support of HB 1593, which would put the protections of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act into New Hampshire law. Section 504 helps ensure that people with disabilities are treated fairly—in schools, healthcare, housing, employment, and when accessing public services. At its core, this bill is about making sure everyone can fully participate in community life, with dignity and equal opportunity. This participation and these rights should not depend on changing federal rules, shifting enforcement priorities, or which agency has the capacity to respond. When rights are not clearly written into state law, people with disabilities and their families often face confusion about what they are entitled to, access can vary from place to place, and it can be harder to challenge discrimination when it happens. HB 1593 feels especially important right now because we can’t assume that federal enforcement will always be reliable or timely. New Hampshire shouldn’t have to depend on Washington to do the right thing for our residents. Passing HB 1593 gives our state a clear path to protect disability civil rights and enforce them here at home. I respectfully urge the committee to recommend HB 1593 as Ought to Pass. Thank you for your consideration.