Committee Summary for Senate Education (02/03/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB434 00:02:06.560 - 8:15:43 AM	Public Hearing	relative to regulation of public school materials.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB430 00:45:14.480 - 8:58:51 AM	Public Hearing	relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB429 01:27:46.880 - 9:41:23 AM	Executive Session	relative to the placement of trauma kits in public schools and making an appropriation therefor.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB432 00090s 01:28:52.080 - 9:42:29 AM	Executive Session	authorizing the application of sunscreen in schools and camps without a doctor's note or prescription and establishing a skin cancer prevention education program.	Ward, Ruth(R)[B-]2025
SB433 01:31:02.000 - 9:44:39 AM	Executive Session	establishing the seizure safe schools act.	Lang, Timothy(R)[B-]2025
SB517 01:32:19.760 - 9:45:56 AM	Executive Session	relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025
SB531 01:34:25.520 - 9:48:02 AM	Executive Session	establishing a task force to study the feasibility of the creation of cosmetology related programming in Coos County.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025
SB577 01:35:14.880 - 9:48:51 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting the use of specific color additives in meals offered or made available by public schools.	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
SB578 2026-304s 01:41:33.920 - 9:55:10 AM	Executive Session	extending recess for students from kindergarten to eighth grade and prohibiting the deprivation of recess time as punishment in schools.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB579 01:50:16.159 - 10:03:53 AM	Executive Session	modifying the language for intra-district public school transfers to include schools within school administrative units.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB580 2026486s 01:54:27.360 - 10:08:04 AM	Executive Session	establishing a school cooperative purchasing program.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025

SB434: Senator Tim Lang, District 2 Support00:02:06.560 - 8:15:43 AM; Senator Lang introduced SB 434 as a simple process bill to standardize timelines and procedures for parents to challenge books in school libraries that expose minors to harmful materials, as defined in RSA 571-B. He emphasized it sets minimum requirements for school boards, including seven steps: parent complaint, investigation, principal's decision, appeal to school board, and final decision, to ensure complaints are not ignored. He clarified the bill does not specify book types but protects parental rights without overreach.
SB434: Barrett Christina, Executive Director, New Hampshire School Boards Association Oppose00:10:14.800 - 8:23:51 AM; While supportive of requiring school boards to have policies for challenging books, Christina opposed the bill's prescriptive process, which she described as overly detailed compared to other required policies, except for bullying statutes. She noted timelines are unworkable for multiple challenges, burdening principals who manage schools, and recommended elevating responsibility to superintendents or designees. She cited examples of successful local processes in districts like Mascoma Valley, Storer, Bow, Exeter, Salem, Lebanon, and Claremont without statutory mandates, and suggested shorter acknowledgment (48-72 hours) and longer review (30-45 days) timelines.
SB434: David Trumbull, Town of Ware Oppose00:21:44.000 - 8:35:21 AM; Trumbull opposed the bill, arguing parents can already opt out under existing law for instructional materials. He highlighted schools' duty to protect other students' First Amendment rights to access information, citing Board of Education v. Pico, and criticized the bill for ignoring these rights by focusing only on objections without balancing educational value. He also pointed to vagueness in criteria like 'age inappropriate' or 'offensive,' which could lead to challenges against books featuring people of color or LGBTQ characters, potentially allowing one parent to censor for all, unlike balanced local policies.
SB434: Deborah House, President, American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire Oppose00:26:09.600 - 8:39:46 AM; House opposed the bill, acknowledging the need for clear review policies but noting most districts already have effective ones, as seen in Dover and Concord areas. She raised concerns about violating students' and educators' First Amendment rights by limiting access to diverse materials and sidelining professional input from librarians on selections' educational value. The bill's subjective criteria and one-sided process remove checks like committee reviews, potentially leading to litigation; she urged using existing opt-outs and proven local policies instead, recommending the bill be found inexpedient to legislate.
SB434: Unidentified Speaker Information Only00:37:39.520 - 8:51:16 AM; The speaker discusses parental options regarding school library materials, including opting out of reading certain books, requesting alternative materials, using the voucher program to switch schools, and parental choice at home. They express frustration that complaints often focus on books about 'penguin dads' and question if the summary of options is correct.
SB434: Committee Member Information Only00:38:59.119 - 8:52:36 AM; The member confirms the options listed and questions if the bill applies to voucher or charter schools, to which the response is that it only applies to public schools via school boards.
SB434: Another Committee Member Information Only00:40:09.280 - 8:53:46 AM; The member shifts focus to the complaint process outlined in the bill, emphasizing the need to consider consequences for students, educators, and administrators. They note existing processes differ and highlight flaws in the proposed process that could violate constitutional rights.
SB434: Committee Member Follow-up Information Only00:41:12.319 - 8:54:49 AM; The member asks about differences between current and proposed processes. The response explains that the current process involves a group decision with professional input from librarians, educators, and a committee assessing the work's value, including community standards per the Miller test to avoid First Amendment issues.
SB430: Senator Tim Lang, Prime Sponsor Support00:45:14.480 - 8:58:51 AM; Senator Lang introduces SB 430 as a process bill requiring schools and teachers to respond honestly and timely to parental requests for information about their child. He emphasizes transparency, truthfulness, and the role of teachers as trusted adults second to parents. He addresses concerns about potential abuse by noting nothing can fully prevent system abuse but the bill prioritizes child welfare. He argues against uniform forms due to the unique nature of each child and supports civic engagement. He shares a personal anecdote about a Manchester family where lack of information led to self-harm, underscoring the bill's goal to prevent such tragedies and inform parents for the child's best interest.
SB430: David Trumbull, Town of Ware Oppose00:55:58.640 - 9:09:35 AM; Trumbull opposes SB 430 for three reasons: 1) It ignores children's privacy rights and input, especially for teenagers, treating them as non-actors in decisions about their lives; he uses a soil triangle analogy to illustrate the imbalance giving 100% rights to parents and 0% to children and schools. 2) Parents' rights must balance with children's, citing NH Supreme Court cases affirming schools need not reveal LGBTQ status and parents should communicate directly with children. 3) The exception provision could damage family relationships by forcing disclosure or abuse petitions without evidence of actual abuse, potentially leading to investigations that harm rather than help.
SB430: Amy Teraveia, 603 Equality Oppose01:00:37.280 - 9:14:14 AM; Teraveia opposes SB 430 as an advocate and mother, arguing schools should not surveil or report on children's identities, eroding trust in academic environments. It undermines parent-child trust by bypassing direct conversations, supported by research favoring child-led disclosures for better outcomes. The bill's reference to RSA 169-C:30 inadequately protects against home risks, forcing educators into detective roles under threat of punishment, turning schools into surveillance systems. She urges inexpedient to legislate.
SB430: Unnamed Educator Oppose01:03:59.359 - 9:17:36 AM; The speaker discusses scenarios where an LGBTQ student may not feel safe disclosing their sexuality to parents and seeks to speak with a trusted educator. They argue that the bill forces educators to assess risk factors beyond their expertise, potentially endangering students without full knowledge of home situations. They share a personal story of a classmate whose parent expressed harmful sentiments toward their child's sexuality, illustrating how educators couldn't foresee such risks, leading to potential physical harm, homelessness, or worse for students.
SB430: Brian Hawkins Oppose01:04:53.680 - 9:18:30 AM; Brian Hawkins, representing NEA New Hampshire, opposes the bill as unnecessary and confusing, especially given the recent passage of House Bill 10, which already allows parental inquiries to schools. He highlights differences in timelines (10 business days vs. leeway in HB 10), the vague 'completely and honestly' standard rarely used outside bankruptcy proceedings, and how the bill bypasses normal supervisory processes. He notes the subjectivity in determining 'material information' and lack of leeway for oversights, potentially leading to strict enforcement without room for error. In response to questions, he emphasizes educators' honesty but stresses the bill's lack of flexibility compared to current law, and raises concerns about implicating other students' privacy in disclosures about relationships.
SB429: Committee Chair Vote01:27:46.880 - 9:41:23 AM; Motion to pass SB 429 made and seconded. Discussion on fiscal note, noting true cost is lower as it only requires providing tourniquets at $23 each, not physical boxes. Passed by consent.
SB432 00090s: Senator Pantis Vote01:28:52.080 - 9:42:29 AM; Motion to pass SB 432 with amendment 00090s made and seconded. Amendment allows kids to apply sunscreen on their own without prescription. Amendment adopted, then ought to pass as amended by consent.
SB433: Committee Member Vote01:31:02.000 - 9:44:39 AM; Motion to pass SB 433 made and seconded. No discussion. Passed by consent.
SB517: Senator Mort Vote01:32:19.760 - 9:45:56 AM; Motion to pass SB 517 made and seconded. Discussion on lack of cost mention but decide to pass to finance committee. Notes it's optional for districts, provides flexibility, targets families under $100,000 income. Passed by consent.
SB531: Committee Member Vote01:34:25.520 - 9:48:02 AM; Motion to pass SB 531 made and seconded. No discussion. Passed by consent.
SB577: Senator Sullivan Support01:35:14.880 - 9:48:51 AM; Supports the policy but concerned about financial issues and availability of foods without dyes, as many are pre-packaged. Notes transition to natural colorings is happening but suggests grace period if supply issues arise. Effective 2028 provides time. Ought to pass, not on consent, will speak on floor.
SB577: Committee Member Information Only01:36:01.920 - 9:49:38 AM; Discussion on anticipated higher food costs but questions if calories restriction will affect it. Shares observation of products switching to natural colorings like strawberry powders and beets. Notes parents often request no red dyes for kids.
SB578 2026-304s: Senator Vote01:41:33.920 - 9:55:10 AM; Amendment addresses feedback: recess can count as instructional time without extending school day, allows pulling child for safety. Motion to pass amendment and underlying bill. Passed 4-1, not on consent.
SB578 2026-304s: Senator Oppose01:42:56.880 - 9:56:33 AM; Opposes amendment due to concerns from Winnisquam School District administrators and school boards that counting recess as PE could push out dedicated physical education curriculum, leading to budget cuts for unstructured recess over structured PE.
SB578 2026-304s: Committee Member Information Only01:46:25.440 - 10:00:02 AM; Questions if amendment allows recess as part of PE without replacing it or extending school day, confirming it provides wiggle room.
SB579: Senator Abbas Vote01:50:16.159 - 10:03:53 AM; Initial motion for inexpedient to legislate due to conflict with open enrollment bill, but withdrawn. Motion for interim study seconded and passed unanimously by consent.
SB579: Senator Prentice Information Only01:51:36.480 - 10:05:13 AM; Suggests interim study to allow time to see outcome of fast-tracked open enrollment bill, which may make SB 579 redundant. Notes opportunity to amend on floor if needed.
SB579: Committee Member Information Only01:52:33.199 - 10:06:10 AM; Expresses desire for more time to review the bill and questions on it.
SB580 2026486s: Senator Sullivan Vote01:54:27.360 - 10:08:04 AM; Amendment clarifies rules for local school boards, eliminates state receivership section, worked with school boards association and DOE. Allows state board to guide districts in crisis like Claremont, equalizes purchasing power. Ought to pass as amended, passed 3-2.
SB580 2026486s: Senator Ward Oppose01:55:58.400 - 10:09:35 AM; Opposes as believes joint purchasing and support can be done without legislation.
SB580 2026486s: Committee Member Information Only01:57:01.440 - 10:10:38 AM; Initial motion for interim study due to cost concerns and DOE receivership, but withdrawn after amendment. Questions on when receivership would be used, notes amendment eliminates that section.
SB580 2026486s: Committee Member Information Only02:03:54.560 - 10:17:31 AM; The speaker notes that there was a little disagreement.

Ward, Ruth(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Sullivan, Victoria(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025