HB 1557 modifies how New Hampshire allocates state aid for special education costs. It lowers the threshold requiring state aid from 3.5 times the state average per-pupil expenditure to 1.5 times, making it easier for school districts to qualify for assistance. The bill removes the requirement to proportionally reduce funding if state funds are insufficient, ensuring districts receive at least 80% of their entitled aid. This change affects school districts serving students with special needs, redistributing existing funding without new state expenditures.
HB 1669 establishes a "Teacher Bill of Rights" for educators in New Hampshire public schools and public charter schools. It guarantees teachers specific rights, including a safe and healthy school environment free from violence, respectful treatment, the ability to share student information with parents (per FERPA), and protection from retaliation when exercising professional judgment. The bill requires all public school districts and charter school boards to post this bill of rights on their websites. It directly affects teachers by defining their workplace protections and communication rights within school policies. The law takes effect upon passage.
HB 1173 allows New Hampshire's commissioner of corrections to release inmates from state prison at any time during their sentence to attend community college or university programs for which they've been accepted. This directly affects incarcerated individuals in New Hampshire state prisons who are accepted into post-secondary education. The bill requires the commissioner to notify the sentencing court and prosecutor before release, who may object within 10 days; if objected to, a court hearing determines approval. Time spent in education outside prison counts fully toward the inmate's sentence, and the commissioner may recall the inmate if community safety is threatened.
HB 1513 requires the scholarship organization managing New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program to provide detailed, public transparency reports. It mandates that the organization publish annual data on account expenses by category and education provider within 45 business days of fund release, in a standard sortable electronic format on its website - without personally identifiable information. The bill also requires the organization to provide requested data to oversight bodies (like the legislative committee and Department of Education) within 45 business days and ensures all qualifying educational expenses are accessible. This directly affects the scholarship organization administering the program, adding specific reporting obligations to enhance public accountability.
HB 1820 shifts administration of New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program from scholarship organizations to the Department of Education. It requires the Department to directly transfer funds to parents for qualifying education expenses (like tuition, materials, or tutoring) for eligible students, replacing the previous system where scholarship organizations managed distributions. Parents must apply through the Department, agree to educational requirements (including assessments or portfolio reviews), and use funds only for approved expenses. Unused EFA funds roll over annually but revert to the education trust fund if not used by graduation or after misuse. This bill directly affects parents of K-12 students participating in the EFA program.
SB 580 establishes a state-administered school cooperative purchasing program for New Hampshire school districts, school administrative units (SAUs), and chartered public schools. The program enables these entities to join state-negotiated contracts for major school expenses like textbooks, transportation, food services, and heating fuel, replacing individual bidding processes with bulk-purchased rates. Participation is voluntary - school boards or trustees decide whether to join specific contracts, and local schools remain responsible for their own purchases and compliance. The bill streamlines procurement by allowing schools to use state-awarded contracts without needing separate competitive bids, while the state board of education oversees the program.
HB 1563 adjusts New Hampshire's special education funding formula to better support school districts serving students with high-cost special education needs. It sets a new $60,000 threshold for aid eligibility (replacing the previous 3.5x average per-pupil cost formula), requiring districts to cover the first $60,000 plus 20% of costs up to $200,000 per student, while the state covers 80% of costs between $60,000-$200,000 and 90% above $200,000 - capping total state aid at $160,000 per student. The bill also creates emergency assistance funds ($250,000 annually for districts under 1,000 residents) to address sudden financial strain from special education costs. This directly affects school districts with students requiring costly specialized services, altering how costs are shared between districts and the state.
SB 581 modifies New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program by removing two key restrictions: (1) priority guidelines that previously favored certain student groups, and (2) an enrollment cap limiting EFA participation to 10,000 students. This change means all eligible parents can apply for EFAs without being subject to priority rankings or enrollment limits. The bill repeals related legal definitions and provisions that enforced these restrictions, effective July 2026. It directly affects families seeking EFA funding for K-12 education options by expanding access to the program.
SB 459 requires New Hampshire schools to designate athletic teams and locker rooms based on students' biological sex at birth, as listed on their birth certificates. It applies to grades 6-12 (excluding K-5 and intramural/club sports) and mandates separate housing for prison inmates based on biological sex as recorded on their birth certificates. The bill creates legal remedies for athletes harmed by violations, including injunctions and attorney fees, while exempting schools from liability for following the law. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1507 requires all New Hampshire public schools, school administrative units, and charter schools to provide a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes of recess daily for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The bill defines recess as unstructured outdoor play (weather permitting) without electronic devices (except for students with IEPs or 504 plans), and specifies that recess time counts as separate instructional time - not deducted from physical education or lunch periods. Schools may adjust recess time only for weather, special events, or emergencies, but cannot withhold it as punishment. This policy applies to all affected schools starting July 1, 2026.
