Legislative Update

March 22: NEA-NH Legislative Update

Re-Cap This Week: House Tables Education Commissioner Subpoena Bill and Senate Punts on Student Surveillance, Again   HB 1353: Subpoena Power for Ed Commissioner Tabled – Still Need to Take Action!  The House this week tabled HB 1353, a bill that would grant subpoena power to the Education Commissioner in certain educator code of conduct cases after its accompanying amendment was defeated on a division vote of 169 – 178. The bill, however, can be taken off the table up until the conclusion of next week’s March 28th session day, the deadline for bills not already in a second committee. This […]

A photo of the New Hampshire State House dome.
White poster board with text that reads: Support NH Educators, Students, Public Schools

March 15: NEA-NH Legislative Update

Commissioner Subpoena Power, Partisan School Board Races, and Educator Student Surveillance Lead House and Senate Votes Next Week This week we are packed with a slew of major bills that will impact educators, students, and public education as a whole. Educator voices are critical to the outcome of these bills. After some razor thin wins and losses last week in the House in particular, please take a close look at the bills and contact your state representative(s) where we have links to take action. Key House Votes Next Week HB 1353 – Education Commissioners Should Not Have Subpoena Power ACTION […]

PRESS RELEASE: NH House Passes Yet Another Bill to Disrupt Educator/Parent Relationship 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 186-185 in support of HB 1312, which would expand the notification requirement for objectionable material beyond sex education to also include sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This bill also unnecessarily puts educators between students and their families and creates a liability for educators as to how certain personal information should be handled. HB 1312 next goes to the New Hampshire Senate for further consideration.   Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided the following statement after the vote:  “Every student deserves a safe space to learn and grow, […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

A photo of the New Hampshire State House dome.

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 […]