Legislative Update

5/23/25: NEA-NH Legislative Update – Five Anti-Public Education Bills Heading to Governor Ayotte

Week Re-Cap: So-Called “Parental Rights” Kicked to June 5; Senate Sends Subpoena and Youth Risk Behavior Survey Opt-In Bills to Governor  This week, the House special ordered SB 72, one of two versions of the so-called “parent bill of rights” to their next session day, which is scheduled for June 5. The Senate will be taking up the House version of that same legislative initiative, HB 10, on the same day.   In addition, this week the Senate passed two bills that are not only unnecessary but could set our profession and our students back; those bills will next go to […]

5/17/25: NEA-NH Legislative Update – Book Ban Bill Heading to the Governor

Re-Cap: Book Ban, Unlicensed Part-Time Teacher, and Educator Code of Conduct Expansion Bills Headed to the Governor  It was a disappointing week at the State House. The New Hampshire Senate passed several bills we believe will have a negative impact on public education. After an administrative process, the book ban, unlicensed part-time teacher, and Educator Code of Conduct expansion bills will next go to Governor Ayotte’s desk. While that process does not have a set timeline, once a bill reaches her desk, Ayotte will have the option to sign or veto it – or it becomes law without her signature […]

NH Senate Advances Book Ban Bill that Criminalizes Teachers and Librarians 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire Senate voted on party lines in support of HB 324, which would ban books in New Hampshire public schools and criminalize teachers, librarians, and even school board members. The state already has an objectionable materials law for public schools that allows any parent to opt their child out of any required coursework, curriculum, or material. But, if signed into law by Governor Ayotte, this bill would go far beyond parental opt-out by potentially imposing one parent’s objections on others.   Recent polling conducted by the University of New Hampshire shows a majority of Granite […]

5/9/25: NEA-NH Legislative Update

Re-Cap This Week  This was a tough week of policy votes at the State House – on the floor and in committees. Here is the rundown of the major takeaways:  SB 295 – Senate Universal Voucher Bill Passes First House Vote  On the floor, the House narrowly voted to pass the Senate’s universal voucher bill, SB 295, 188 – 176. All House Democrats and 13 Republicans voted against the bill. SB 295 was referred to the House Finance Committee for further review. If House Finance decides to make a recommendation on the bill this session, it will head to the House […]

5/2/25: NEA-NH Legislative Update

Re-Cap of the Week  While schools were out on April break, the pace at the State House was slower, too, but there were still some significant actions taken in each chamber:  HB 741 – Senate puts off mandatory open enrollment bill: The Senate met in full session and approved the Senate Education Committee recommendation to re-refer HB 741. This bill would mandate that every public school be an open enrollment school, meaning all school districts would be required to accept a student regardless of whether the school is part of their resident district or not. The re-refer action means the […]

04/25/25: NEA-NH Legislative Update

This Week: Hearings and Committee Votes  SB 297 – House Commerce Hears Risk Pool Regulation Legislation  This week, the House Commerce Committee heard SB 297, the bill proposed by the Secretary of State to establish new regulations for the organizations that operate as risk pools to offer health insurance and workers compensation for most of the public employers and employees at the local level in New Hampshire.  As NEA-New Hampshire President Megan Tuttle testified, our priority is the preservation of affordable and reliable health insurance options for NEA-NH members across the state. She also indicated that as the Committee deliberates, […]