Monthly Archives: March 2024

PRESS RELEASE: “Students’ Freedom to Read Bill” Passes New Hampshire House! 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed HB 1311, 194-180. The “Students’ Freedom to Read Bill” requires school boards to adopt transparent processes for addressing and resolving requests to remove materials while protecting the right of students to see themselves represented in their school libraries and media centers, regardless of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, or ability.   Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided the following statement after the vote:  “Educators and parents know that magical moment when a student connects with a book. The “Students’ Freedom to Read Bill” will help ensure New Hampshire children […]

A photo of the New Hampshire State House dome.

PRESS RELEASE: House Lawmakers Vote to Preserve “Banned Concepts” Law 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to Indefinitely Postpone HB 1162, 192-183. This bill would have prohibited the state from enacting education laws that would bar public school employees from teaching the historical or current experiences of any group that is protected from discrimination and repealed the “banned concepts” law which has had a chilling effect on the delivery of honest and accurate education in our state.  Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided the following statement after the vote:  “As a social studies teacher, I know how important it is for students to have […]

March 8: NEA-NH Legislative Update

Senate Punts Multiple Ed Bills to March 21 Session, Including Student Surveillance Bill  This week the New Hampshire Senate was supposed to vote on SB 341 relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents, which is essentially so-called “parental rights” legislation. However, this bill along with legislation about putting financial qualification guard rails around the school voucher program, were special ordered (or postponed) to the March 21st full Senate session. More to come on any changes being contemplated to these various pieces of legislation but there is still time to use our action link to urge your state senator […]

March 1: NEA-NH Legislative Update

Senate Returns Next Week with Educator Student Surveillance Bill  Next week the full Senate will vote on SB 341, relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. This bill is essentially an excerpt from a previous version of the so-called “parental rights” legislation. A recent committee amendment to the bill does nothing to improve it at all.   Even as amended, this bill would require educators to answer written inquiries within a 10-day period, “completely and honestly”, a standard that is so subjective that even the NH Department of Education identified it as such. The bill serves only to […]

A sign reads "Support our Students" with a rainbow heart that says "LGBTQ" in the center.