Angela Fletcher

Written Testimony in Strong Support of HB 1593 My name is Angela Fletcher and I write in strong support of HB 1593 as a disabled person, a parent of a disabled child, wife of a disabled husband and advocate. HB 1593 is a critical and necessary bill because it codifies the protections of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 into New Hampshire state law. Section 504 prohibits discrimination based on disability in schools, healthcare, housing, employment, and public services that receive state or federal financial assistance. These protections are foundational to equal access and participation in everyday life. At a time when federal disability protections face growing legal challenges and enforcement uncertainty, HB 1593 ensures that disabled people in New Hampshire do not lose their civil rights due to changes at the federal level. It provides stability, clarity, and enforceability for individuals, families, providers, and institutions alike. The bill also codifies the remedies available under Section 505, including the availability of reasonable attorneys’ fees for certain prevailing parties. This is essential. Civil rights are only meaningful if they can be enforced. Without access to remedies, many disabled individuals and families—already navigating barriers and inequities—would have no practical way to challenge discrimination. As both a disabled person and a parent, I know firsthand how vital these protections are. Disability discrimination is not theoretical; it happens in classrooms, medical settings, housing decisions, and public services. HB 1593 ensures that New Hampshire affirms the dignity, rights, and full inclusion of disabled people in our state. I respectfully urge you to support HB 1593 and stand firmly for disability civil rights in New Hampshire.