CONCORD, NH–Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 181-157 in support of SB 33 as amended, a chilling bill that goes beyond banning books to also censor web pages, videos, artwork, performances, and other school materials. The vote comes just weeks after the House voted to sustain Governor Ayotte’s veto of HB 324, 183-167. SB 33 now goes back to the Senate for a concurrence vote or committee of conference request.
In her HB 324 veto message, Governor Ayotte stated: “the State of New Hampshire should not engage in the role of addressing questions of literary value and appropriateness” and cited the risks of “subjective standards” and “extensive civil action…from out-of-state groups,” underscoring the practical and constitutional dangers posed by the bill.
After the vote, members of the New Hampshire Freedom to Read Coalition released the following statements:
“New Hampshire parents already have a legal right to exempt their children from curriculum materials they find personally objectionable. We don’t need to hand special interest groups a blunt hammer to tell our kids what they’re allowed to read in school. SB 33 covers the same ground as last year’s HB 324, which Gov. Ayotte wisely vetoed. Let’s cut the deja vu and put this issue to rest,” said Jacquelyn Benson, NH Regional Leader, Authors Against Book Bans
Megan Tuttle, President, NEA-New Hampshire added, “Every student deserves the freedom to read and to see themselves reflected in the pages of their books. But this book ban infringes upon the right to read for Granite State youth and could criminalize New Hampshire teachers, librarians, and even school board members.
While NEA-New Hampshire is discouraged that some anti-public education lawmakers continue to ignore their constituents who overwhelmingly oppose classroom censorship efforts, we remain hopeful that Governor Ayotte will continue listening to voters who overwhelmingly believe curriculum and classroom material decisions are best handled at the local level by the people who know their communities and schools best. If this book ban bill gets to her desk, we urge the Governor to veto SB 33!”
Deb Howes, President of American Federation of Teachers - NH, said, “Today was a huge disappointment for Granite State public school students and the educators who work every day to provide them with a robust education. The NH House ignored students’ First Amendment rights to access a wide variety of materials in their public school libraries. They also ignored students’ need to have engaging materials in the classroom to support the approved curriculum and their independent, student centered learning. This legislation, which could criminalize educators and school staff for trying to support student learning, is another overreach by Concord. Decisions on classroom materials and curriculum are best left up to the locally elected school boards and their communities. We urge Gov. Ayotte to veto this bill.”
“We’re disappointed that the New Hampshire House voted to pass SB 33 today. This harmful book ban applies to all materials, not just books, so anything from a map to a play to a piece of art could be challenged and removed. That keeps kids from accessing diverse perspectives, honest history and important learning experiences. New Hampshire families value local control and access to books that help kids grow, build empathy and understand the world around them, not censorship or distractions from the real issues families face. We already work with our local leaders to make the choices that are right for our kids. We’re calling on Governor Ayotte to use her veto pen again,” said MacKenzie Nicholson, Senior Director, MomsRising in New Hampshire.
Christina Pretorious, Education Justice Campaign Director, Engage NH said, “The New Hampshire House continues to push radical, unpopular agendas like the book ban in SB 33. This bill erodes the rights of students and parents to learn and read freely, while creating long-term harm that voters – and the Governor – have already rejected. It’s time that lawmakers stop prioritizing divisive policies driven by special interest groups and get back to the issues that Granite State families really care about.”
John Chrastka, Executive Director, EveryLibrary, said, “SB33 is substantially the same as HB324, which was vetoed by the Governor last year. Unfortunately, it is time for her to take out her red pen again to defend the voters and the Constitution from this legislature. We support her in having to do the work of letting families make their own decisions about reading and keeping the bureaucrats out of the school library.”
Philomena Polefrone, Associate Director of Advocacy, American Booksellers Association, said, “Study after study and lawsuit after lawsuit have shown that book bans are discriminatory, expensive, and unconstitutional. By passing SB 33, the New Hampshire House ignored all that and made it easier to ban books. The American Booksellers Association and the independent bookstores we represent stand with students, parents, librarians, and authors in urging Governor Ayotte to once again veto this recycled, harmful legislation.”
“All Granite Staters deserve the freedom to read, and to see themselves, and their families reflected in the books in their classrooms. Parents and teachers are already partners in the work of supporting each child inside of the classroom, and out. We will never stop fighting to ensure the Granite State is a place where every child can live free and read,” stated Heidi Carrington Heath, Executive Director, NH Outright.
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