Committee Summary for Senate Education (03/24/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1795 00:09:28.860 - 8:23:00 AM	Public Hearing	requiring criminal history record checks for the renewal of teaching licenses.	Noble, Kristin(R)[A+]2025
HB1818 00:15:00.000 - 8:28:32 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) requiring the department of education to use its 10-year school facilities plans to plan and project out building consolidation projects.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
Unclear 00:24:28.860 - 8:38:00 AM	Public Hearing	relative to reporting requirements, definitions, and liability standards for bullying and cyberbullying in schools
HB131 00:54:28.860 - 9:08:00 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB1370 01:39:28.860 - 9:53:00 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) repealing the public school identification and accommodation of gifted and talented students reporting requirement.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025
HB1635 01:54:28.860 - 10:08:00 AM	Public Hearing	modifying the requirements of suicide prevention education policies in schools.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025
HB1795 02:23:00.000 - 10:36:32 AM	Executive Session	requiring criminal history record checks for the renewal of teaching licenses.	Noble, Kristin(R)[A+]2025
HB1370 02:23:52.230 - 10:37:24 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) repealing the public school identification and accommodation of gifted and talented students reporting requirement.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025

HB1795: Steve Appleby, Department of Education Support00:09:28.860 - 8:23:00 AM; Explains that the bill requires criminal history record checks for renewal of educator licenses, in addition to initial licensure, and adds checks for neglect findings on the DCYF list. Notes that all 27 surveyed states conduct renewal checks, and surrounding states include neglect to protect students. Current checks occur only upon employment or district changes, so long-term employees may go unchecked.
HB1818: Representative Rick Ladd, representing Haverhill, Benton, Bath, Piermont, Landaff, Warren Support00:15:00.000 - 8:28:32 AM; Presents the bill, which changes the language from encouraging school districts to develop 10-year capital improvement plans to requiring them ('shall'). The plans must address construction, reconstruction, new builds, and consolidation issues due to demographics and affordability. Districts submit updates biennially or as needed to help the Department of Education budget for capital needs. Notes the original bill included a $10 million fund for consolidations, which was removed as it's not a budget year. Emphasizes benefits for efficiency and cost savings, using Haverhill as an example.
HB1818: Tim Carney, Bureau Administrator, Bureau of School Facilities, Department of Education Information Only00:20:00.000 - 8:33:32 AM; Reiterates support for the bill but highlights that the original fiscal note requested a staff position to implement it, as current staffing prevents the Department from enforcing or processing the required plans under existing law.
Unclear: Testifying Sponsor Support00:24:28.860 - 8:38:00 AM; Describes amendments to the bill: requires school boards and charter school trustees to implement reporting protocols; mandates staff, coaches, and bus drivers to report bullying incidents to the principal or designee; modifies the bullying definition to remove the 'imbalance of power' element while keeping the rest intact; and lowers the liability standard from gross negligence to simple negligence, arguing schools should meet the reasonable care standard expected of adults caring for children.
Unclear: Representative Rick Ladd, representing Haverhill, Benton, Piermont, Warren, Landaff Support00:25:00.000 - 8:38:32 AM; As original prime sponsor, notes the bill originally addressed cell phone use in classrooms, which was deleted and replaced with bullying provisions. Supports the intent to clarify reporting and handling of bullying but suggests amendments: include public academies on line 10 (reference RSA 194-B:23 II); specify reporting to principal or designee on page 2 to align with code of conduct violations, as it only applies to certified educators (excludes bus drivers, paraprofessionals, etc.); address out-of-state cyberbullying reporting challenges for tuitions and interstate districts; and clarify the negligence definition on page 4, as the private right of action is based on gross negligence, not simple negligence per DOE attorney Liz Brown—recommends consulting her and retaining gross negligence for clarity. Emphasizes need for cleanup but urges moving the bill forward to resolve inter-district disputes on bullying.
Unclear: Kimberly Larkin, Associate Dean of Students, Pinkerton Academy, Derry Oppose00:39:28.860 - 8:53:00 AM; Opposes the bill, describing the complexities of investigating bullying and cyberbullying, often occurring off-campus via social media, affecting school the next day. Highlights challenges: emotional situations, missing evidence (deleted snaps, hearsay, absent students), distinguishing peer conflict from bullying, balancing privacy laws with parental transparency, and focusing on education over punishment. Urges pausing new legislation and supporting SB 575 to form a commission with educators, administrators, and mental health experts to study and inform practical policies. Notes cell phone bans help but enforcement is difficult, and parental responsibility for off-school device use should be addressed, as parents resist restrictions.
HB131: Unidentified School Administrator Oppose00:54:28.860 - 9:08:00 AM; The speaker describes the challenges in investigating bullying reports within a tight 48-hour window, often with limited initial information, while balancing transparency, privacy, and due process. They distinguish between peer conflict, harassment (under Title IX or civil rights), and social-emotional issues that do not meet the legal bullying threshold. Emphasizing that schools address concerns daily, the speaker argues against fundamentally altering HB 131, instead recommending proactive education for families, staff, and students on what constitutes bullying to maintain safe school environments.
HB131: Anne-Marie Banfield, parent advocate focused on excellence in education Support01:09:28.860 - 9:23:00 AM; Banfield criticizes the current bullying system as ineffective, citing definitions from stopbullying.gov and personal experiences with parents. She argues that HB 131 closes loopholes by clarifying definitions and strengthening protections, including adding harassment and retaliation provisions. She shares anecdotes about cyberbullying via school-issued Chromebooks leading to severe outcomes like suicide attempts, urges action to keep families in public schools, and suggests practical measures like confiscating cell phones. Banfield stresses the need for accountability in schools and outside review processes like school boards and the State Board of Education to resolve issues fairly.
HB131: Becky Wilson, Director of Governmental Relations, New Hampshire School Boards Association Oppose01:24:28.860 - 9:38:00 AM; Wilson acknowledges the seriousness of bullying incidents but expresses concerns about HB 131's vague 'reasonable person' negligence standard, which could jeopardize staff livelihoods across roles like coaches and bus drivers. She notes that districts already have required JICK policies for bullying investigations, separate from harassment reporting under the Safe Schools Act. Wilson explains New Hampshire's unique bullying criteria and argues that reported numbers reflect only substantiated cases after investigation, not every complaint, to avoid overreporting normal adolescent behaviors. She urges clarity on what the bill changes regarding reporting to the Department of Education.
HB131: Bridy Bellomare, Executive Director, New Hampshire Association of School Principals Information Only01:39:28.860 - 9:53:00 AM; Bellomare highlights the broad training of all school staff on ethical responsibilities for student safety, beyond just administrators, including social workers, nurses, and others who report concerns without investigating. She addresses complexities in student behaviors due to underlying physical or mental health issues and family histories, viewing bullying as a societal issue requiring collective responsibility rather than solely institutional blame. Bellomare emphasizes the heart-wrenching nature of suicides and the challenges in supporting students with undisclosed needs.
HB1370: Unidentified Prime Sponsor (Senator) Oppose01:39:28.860 - 9:53:00 AM; The sponsor explains that the original bill updated a reporting requirement for districts to submit annual narratives on policies for gifted and talented students by August 1, simplifying it from prior versions. However, an amendment in committee repealed the entire RSA, which passed on consent without their presence. They apologize for the oversight and request either Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) or passage in original form to maintain the reporting mechanism.
HB1370: Representative Mike Moffitt, Merrimack District 4, Canterbury and Loudon Oppose01:45:00.000 - 9:58:32 AM; Moffitt recounts the bill's origins eight years ago, based on research showing New Hampshire ranks low nationally in supporting gifted students. HB 1370 required simple reporting to DOE on district practices, enabling a best practices folder. He was unaware of the repeal amendment until recently and urges ITL of the current version to preserve the sole statutory mention of gifted education, noting DOE's capacity and budget should handle minimal reporting.
HB1370: David Harrison, Department of Education Support01:50:00.000 - 10:03:32 AM; Harrison states that DOE supports the bill as amended, having requested removal of the reporting requirement for several years due to insufficient capacity to address it.
HB1635: Representative Melissa Litchfield, District 32, Brentwood, Danville, and Fremont Support01:54:28.860 - 10:08:00 AM; Litchfield introduces HB 1635, which modifies suicide prevention training from annual two-hour sessions to initial training within 30 days of hire and every two years thereafter, while allowing districts to exceed this. Motivated by feedback from a school board member's spouse (a physician), she notes the current requirement is stricter than for first responders or physicians and causes volunteer shortages due to time constraints. She emphasizes local control, limited professional development time, overtraining issues, and lack of evidence linking annual training to reduced suicide rates, suggesting peer training and diversified content.
HB1635: Representative Margaret Dry, Sullivan District 7, Plainfield, Cornish, Newport, Unity, and Charlestown Support02:00:00.000 - 10:13:32 AM; Dry, an EMT, supports HB 1635 by analogy to biennial CPR recertification, which saved a life in a recent school incident. She lists other important school trainings done every two years or as needed, arguing the bill provides flexibility for better, varied training without mandating annual repetition, which leads to disengagement. Districts can still opt for more frequent sessions, and removing the two-hour limit allows concise, effective delivery. She stresses local control to tailor mental health training to specific needs.
HB1635: Holly Grogan, NAMI New Hampshire Support02:09:28.860 - 10:23:00 AM; Emphasizes the importance of yearly suicide prevention training for teachers to address suicidality in schools, referencing YRBS data. Responds to committee questions about involving parents in trainings, noting that the organization provides trainings to parents, citizens, and schools nationwide and internationally. Stresses the need for ongoing awareness and updates on suicide prevention.
HB1635: Jenny O'Higgins, DHHS Legislative Liaison Information Only02:14:00.000 - 10:27:32 AM; Provides data on suicide as the leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14 and second for 15-34 in New Hampshire, highlighting the vulnerability of youth and the role of schools in prevention. Explains the need for repetitive, evidence-based training similar to CPR to build confidence in intervening during crises. Supports the current bill requirements of two hours annually, noting that shorter trainings do not meet evidence-based standards and that suicide rates among youth far exceed cardiac arrest incidents. Addresses questions on trends, indicating slight reductions in suicide fatalities over the past five years and cautioning against reducing training frequency. Prefers maintaining the law as it stands.
HB1795: Committee Chair Vote02:23:00.000 - 10:36:32 AM; Motions to go into executive session, seconded and approved. Motions ought to pass on HB 1795FN, noting testimony from Steve Appleby clarifying the necessity of current FBI-compliant checks. Discussion confirms understanding and support. Vote 4-0 in favor of ought to pass. Motions consent, seconded and approved 4-0.
HB1370: Committee Members Vote02:23:52.230 - 10:37:24 AM; Discusses HB 1370, with members expressing comfort in voting based on sponsor's testimony preferring ITL or revert to original. Senator Abbas confirms support for ITL. Motion for inexpedient to legislate (ITL), seconded. No further discussion needed. Vote 4-0 in favor of ITL. Motion for consent, seconded and approved 4-0.

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