HB 131 New Hampshire House · 2026 Regular Session

relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention.

HB 131 requires New Hampshire school boards to create and adopt policies governing student cell phone use during school hours. The policy must restrict personal phone use in classrooms without teacher approval, while allowing exceptions when teachers use devices for lessons or when students with disabilities need devices for learning as outlined in their IEP or 504 plan. This bill directly affects all public school districts and students in New Hampshire. It takes effect 60 days after enactment. The legislation does not address bullying prevention, as the title incorrectly states.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Jan 6, 2025 Signed Jul 9, 2026
Floor votes · House Jan 7, 2026

How they voted

10090
Passed · 33 other
Total votes 223
Jan 7, 2026
D Democratic107
3 Yea 90 Nay 14
84% Nay
I Independent2
1 Yea 1
50% Yea
R Republican114
96 Yea 18
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
11
Committee
8
Amendments
5
Jul 9, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 205; eff. I. Sec 3 1/1/2027 II. Rem eff 8/1/2026
lower
Jun 3, 2026
Introduced
Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2131e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 37
lower
Jun 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2131e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 05/21/2026); SJ 14
upper
May 7, 2026
Introduced
House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1396s (Rep. Noble): MA DV 169-133 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 2
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1396s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
upper
Apr 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2026-1396s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1396s, 04/16/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 14
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Introduced
Introduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 3
upper
Jan 7, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (100-90-33)
house
Jan 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-3071h: MA RC 190-149 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 135
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2025-3071h (NT): AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 133
lower
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
lower
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3071h (NT) 11/05/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 51 P. 28
lower
Oct 22, 2025
Introduced
Public Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2025-3000h: 11/05/2025 09:30 am GP 232
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Retained in Committee
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 03/03/2025 11:00 am LOB 203
lower
Jan 6, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 2 P. 7
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.