Committee Summary for Senate Education (03/17/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1792 00:01:21.656 - 8:15:17 AM	Public Hearing	prohibiting school districts and personnel from the instruction of critical race theory and LGBTQ+ ideologies in schools as well as establishing a private right of action for violations.	Belcher, Mike(R)[B+]2025
HB1099 01:00:06.883 - 9:14:02 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a committee to study private businesses providing special education services and issues relative to local school district reimbursement.	Hill, Gregory(R)[A-]2025
HB1514 01:15:06.883 - 9:29:02 AM	Public Hearing	requiring the department of education and the department of revenue administration to send school compliance and financial reports to school and school board authorities.	Damon, Hope(D)[CT]2025
HB1267 01:30:06.883 - 9:44:02 AM	Public Hearing	prohibiting school district attorneys and non-school personnel from questioning students without their parent or guardian present.	Sheehan, Vanessa(R)[A-]2025
HB1503 01:42:17.628 - 9:56:13 AM	Executive Session	allowing the department of education to allocate funds to create a database of maps of public schools for emergency use cases.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025

HB1792: Katie Adams, Exeter, NH Oppose00:01:21.656 - 8:15:17 AM; Katie Adams, a mother of three boys enrolled in public schools, opposes HB 1792, arguing there is no evidence of indoctrination in New Hampshire public schools. She highlights the challenges teachers face in addressing students' mental health needs and providing education, stating the bill would exacerbate these difficulties by imposing vague restrictions on topics, replacing one ideology with another, and allowing reports and lawsuits against teachers. Adams questions the meaning of a 'neutral or patriotic disposition' and warns that the bill's overreach would deter teacher recruitment and retention, ultimately harming children's education. She urges the committee to vote inexpedient to legislate and declines questions.
HB1792: Scott Files, concerned citizen Oppose00:06:00.000 - 8:19:56 AM; Scott Files, a former public school student without children, opposes HB 1792 due to its vague phrasing, particularly 'includes but not limited to,' which he believes allows broad interpretation of prohibited topics as political or indoctrinating. He argues this creates fear of civil actions among teachers, who already face low pay and discipline issues, potentially driving them out of the state. Files emphasizes the value of public education from his experience and notes the fiscal waste of passing censorship laws likely to be overturned, as previous similar measures have been.
HB1792: David Trumble, Warner, NH Oppose00:10:00.000 - 8:23:56 AM; David Trumble opposes HB 1792, claiming it infringes on students' First Amendment rights to receive information, citing Board of Education v. Pico. He asserts teachers are trained and should be trusted, with parents having options like opting out rather than denying rights to all students. Trumble criticizes the bill's vagueness, which causes self-censorship, and provides examples: discussing discrimination and due process, LGBTQ rights as normative under constitutional law, and historical oppression like slavery's ongoing wealth gap effects. He argues teachers cannot know if they are violating the law, leading to a chilling effect.
HB1792: Deborah House, President, American Federation of Teachers, NH Oppose00:13:00.000 - 8:26:56 AM; Deborah House opposes HB 1792, stating it is not neutral but prescribes viewpoints to criticize or ignore, risking shifting definitions of 'neutral and patriotic' based on political majorities. She compares it to the overturned divisive concepts law, noting its subjectivity in connecting lessons to prohibited ideas, creating uncertainty for teachers. House discusses the chilling effect since the prior law, with teachers avoiding career advice to relatives due to fear of misinterpretation in discussing history or student questions. She highlights veteran teachers considering early retirement amid the toxic atmosphere and attacks from policymakers, emphasizing the weight on educators.
HB1792: Amanda Azad, Policy Director, ACLU of New Hampshire Oppose00:16:21.656 - 8:30:17 AM; Amanda Azad opposes HB 1792, emphasizing that laws must clearly define allowed and prohibited actions, but this bill is confusing and reads like a political manifesto rather than enforceable RSA. She defers to written testimony for details and urges agreement that it is not ready for law.
HB1792: Christina Kim-Philibody, Manchester resident and teacher Oppose00:31:21.656 - 8:45:17 AM; Christina Kim-Philibody, a longtime NH resident, K-16 graduate, and plaintiff in the 2021 Mejia lawsuit, opposes HB 1792. She explains culturally responsive teaching through personal stories: her third-grade teacher providing a book about an adopted girl, and her daughter's science teacher addressing racial slurs by personalizing genetics lessons. As a former chief equity officer in Manchester, she notes teacher shortages (30% drop in certifications in 2023) in key areas like special education, math, and science, warning the bill would worsen recruitment by hindering community-sustaining teaching that affirms students' identities.
HB1792: Doris Hohensee, Nashua, former school board member Support00:36:00.000 - 8:49:56 AM; Doris Hohensee supports the intent of HB 1792 but suggests rewriting to focus on building communities rather than just prohibiting. From her school board experience, she identifies systemic ideological infiltration in teacher certification, textbooks (e.g., McGraw Hill), superintendent updates, and SEL programs like 'Choose Love,' which she views as behavior modification without parental consent, violating laws. She argues districts force objectionable content, advocates persuasion over force, and suggests parents leave districts or support beliefs separately, while teachers should teach convictions without state interference.
HB1792: Lisa Boudoin, disability policy professional Oppose00:40:00.000 - 8:53:56 AM; Lisa Boudoin strongly opposes HB 1792, arguing it undermines inclusion of people with disabilities in schools, workplaces, and housing, which yields economic benefits by challenging ableism. She criticizes segregated spaces reinforcing devaluation and notes historical oppression like institutions, still evident in employment biases against her son with Down syndrome despite his skills. Boudoin warns the bill prevents discussing such systemic barriers, increasing costs in Medicaid, housing, and education, and cites recent presidential comments on dyslexia as antiquated. She emphasizes inclusive education's proven benefits for all students' outcomes over segregation.
HB1792: Ann Marie Banfield Support00:45:06.883 - 8:59:02 AM; Ann Marie Banfield supports HB 1792, noting existing laws limit teacher advocacy (e.g., RSA 191:1 on communism) and courts rule against free speech in classrooms. She provides examples of ideological content in schools: 'This Book is Anti-Racist' in SAU 16 categorizing oppressors/oppressed by race, class, etc.; Second Step SEL in Merrimack; Two Revolutions in SAU 16 labeling property tax supporters as covert white supremacists; 'Stamped' in Hopkinton promoting one viewpoint. Banfield shares reports from parents and teachers facing pressure to conform, leading to hiding conservative values, early retirements, and parents forming charter schools like Seacoast Classical Academy. She stresses neutrality, allowing discussion of topics like slavery without advocacy, and balancing viewpoints.
HB1792: Jim O'Connor, school board member, Manchester Oppose00:50:00.000 - 9:03:56 AM; Jim O'Connor opposes HB 1792, stating he does not recognize the described issues amid real education challenges like school closures, teacher firings, and funding shortages for special education in Manchester's 12,000-student district. He criticizes the bill's ideological language (e.g., Hegelian, Marxist terms) as not resonating with plainspoken New Hampshirites focused on daily life and safety. O'Connor notes ignored fiscal impacts, including legal defenses as per the Attorney General, and calls the emphasis misplaced given practical priorities.
HB1792: Unnamed Public Speaker Oppose01:00:06.883 - 9:14:02 AM; The speaker expressed deep concern about the list of terms in the bill, described as 'Edu-speak' or political science language not relevant to New Hampshire. They noted that discussions with them focus on kids' education, special education, student safety, and learning, not these other matters.
HB1792: Representative Cyril Ores, Merrimack 13, Chichester and Pittsfield Oppose01:00:06.883 - 9:14:02 AM; Representative Ores contrasted previous testimony, stating that parents in Chichester and Pittsfield have complained about LGBT, DEI, and pornography books in schools, calling it disgusting. As a former corporate executive who taught in public and private schools, he said he's never seen anything like the current situation and accused denials of being in a different universe.
HB1099: Representative Greg Hill, Northfield, Winnisquam School District Support01:00:06.883 - 9:14:02 AM; Representative Hill explained that the bill was filed as a cautionary measure regarding reimbursement for students placed by DCYF at Spalding Youth Center who attend Winnisquam School District without special ed needs. The issue involves lack of reimbursement process, complications between DCYF and DOE language, and impacts on local taxpayers. He noted the bill passed committee 18-0 and suggested ongoing conversations and a study.
HB1099: Elizabeth Brown, Department of Education Information Only01:00:06.883 - 9:14:02 AM; Elizabeth Brown discussed ongoing conversations with DHHS/DCYF on education funding overlaps for special and regular education. She explained court rulings allowing such students to attend local public schools, causing hardship to districts, and the need for legislative determination on funding. She highlighted regulatory complexities, undefined terms, and impacts on districts like Winnisquam, recommending a study for statutory remedies. She noted issues extend beyond Spalding to Plymouth and Seacoast areas.
HB1099: Chairman Ladd, House Education Funding Committee Support01:15:06.883 - 9:29:02 AM; Chairman Ladd emphasized the committee's unanimous support and that the bill's title is misleading as issues extend statewide beyond Spalding to places like Plymouth and Beckett. He stressed the need for resolution on responsibility for high-cost education services in receiving districts, involving placements by DCYF, DOE, and even Massachusetts agencies, recommending a committee to address billing and reimbursement broadly.
HB1099: Karen Rosenberg, Policy Director, Disability Rights Center Information Only01:15:06.883 - 9:29:02 AM; Karen Rosenberg provided historical context from a late 1990s/early 2000s case involving a child placed in Pittsfield's Brock Home, where Manchester remained liable. She noted the law's confusion on district liability and supported a study for clarity, cautioning against leaving children like the abandoned girl at loose ends. She suggested including attorneys for school districts and students in committee discussions.
HB1514: Representative Hope Damon, Sullivan County Support01:15:06.883 - 9:29:02 AM; Representative Damon introduced the bipartisan bill requested by Claremont School Board to require DOE and DRA to distribute compliance and financial reports to elected school board officials, superintendents, and business administrators. It mandates annual lists of expected reports and expands communication on audit timeliness. She acknowledged needed amendments for relevance, digital communication, and single DOE database, noting unanimous House passage.
HB1514: Elizabeth Brown, Department of Education Information Only01:30:06.883 - 9:44:02 AM; Elizabeth Brown supported incorporating clarifications into the bill to specify expectations for the department regarding report distribution.
HB1267: Representative Vanessa Sheehan, Hillsborough District 43, Milford Support01:30:06.883 - 9:44:02 AM; Representative Sheehan described an incident in Milford Middle School where attorneys questioned students without parental notification during an investigation of a teacher. Parents were irate, and she proposed HB 1267 to require parental presence for such questioning, with exceptions for child welfare cases. She noted OLS input and remedies via DOE complaints or court, open to amendments for local processes.
HB1267: Anne-Marie Banfield, Parent Advocate, Focused on Excellence in Education Support01:30:06.883 - 9:44:02 AM; Anne-Marie Banfield emphasized that parental presence would comfort children during questioning, making them more likely to share information. She supported codifying this in state statute to enforce parental rights, as federal laws may be ignored, ensuring schools understand requirements.
HB1503: Senator Ward Vote01:42:17.628 - 9:56:13 AM; Senator Ward motioned for ought to pass on HB 1503, emphasizing school safety priority and the need for DOE database for emergency coordination based on sponsor and department testimony.
HB1503: Committee Vote Vote01:43:30.765 - 9:57:26 AM; The committee voted 4-0 (with one absent) for ought to pass on consent calendar.

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