HB 112 requires students at New Hampshire's public universities and community colleges to pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services civics naturalization test (a 128-question test with a 70% passing score) to graduate, starting January 1, 2026. It applies to all students admitted or transferring after that date, excluding exchange students and foreign nationals. Institutions must establish procedures to administer, certify, and track test results, with costs estimated at $200,000-$1,000,000 annually covered by school operating funds. The bill does not provide state funding and exempts non-U.S. students, focusing solely on a graduation requirement for domestic students.
HB 1832 adds students with at least one parent on active military duty (with a permanent change of station in New Hampshire) to the priority eligibility list for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). This means military-connected students who relocate to New Hampshire due to their parent's active duty orders will now qualify for priority enrollment in the EFA program, alongside existing priority groups like low-income students. The bill amends eligibility criteria in RSA 194-F:1, adding a new category (d) specifically for these military families. It takes effect 60 days after passage and has an estimated fiscal impact of $150,300 in FY 2027 for approximately 30 additional eligible students.
HB 1155 amends New Hampshire's home education advisory council structure, adding six voting members appointed by home educator associations (one per association) and clarifying roles for other members. The council now includes nonvoting representatives from school associations and the education commissioner, with appointed members serving three-year terms. Key duties require the council to meet quarterly, develop communication between home educators and schools, recommend rule changes to the education commissioner, and establish a grievance committee. This bill directly affects home educators, public school administrators, and state education officials through this advisory body. (4 sentences)
HB 1121 defines the specific resources required to calculate the cost of an adequate education in New Hampshire. It mandates that the state include certain personnel and materials - such as teachers, counselors, nurses, instructional supplies, technology, facility maintenance, and transportation - in its funding calculations. This bill directly affects how the state determines the necessary resources for public schools to meet educational standards. The definition applies to all public school funding decisions under RSA 193-E:2-a, requiring the state to formally account for these elements when assessing educational costs. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1635 modifies New Hampshire school suicide prevention training requirements by requiring all school faculty, staff, and contracted personnel to complete suicide awareness training within 30 days of hire and every two years thereafter (replacing the prior annual requirement). The training must cover youth suicide risk factors, warning signs, response procedures, referrals, and community resources, and may use existing professional development programs or self-training materials. School districts determine how to administer the training, including whether it applies to volunteers per district policy. The bill takes effect September 1, 2026.
HB 1815 defines what constitutes an "adequate education" for New Hampshire public schools by specifying 11 required learning areas: English/language arts, math, science, social studies (including Holocaust education), arts, world languages, health/wellness, physical education, technology/engineering, personal finance, and computer science. It directly affects all public elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire by mandating these subjects as core components of the state's definition of adequate education. The bill revises state law to replace previous standards with this detailed list of required content areas. It does not address funding mechanisms or budget allocations, focusing solely on curriculum requirements.
HB 709 would allow parents or guardians to enroll their children in any New Hampshire public school district where they (the parents/guardians) pay property or school district taxes, regardless of the child's residence. This changes current rules by basing school attendance eligibility on where the parent pays taxes, rather than the child's or parent's physical address. The bill does not require school districts to provide transportation for students attending a district outside their usual attendance area. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to all school districts statewide.
HB 366 increases the annual funding floor for New Hampshire school building aid grants from $50 million to $60 million, starting July 2025. It requires at least $5 million of this total to fund projects that began construction between 2009 and 2019 but were delayed due to prior funding limitations, prioritizing these under existing application rules. This change directly affects school districts seeking construction or renovation funding, with local districts expected to receive an estimated $45-50 million more annually starting in 2026. The bill does not create new state spending but adjusts existing appropriations from the Education Trust Fund.
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 1826 increases New Hampshire's per-pupil funding rate for public schools starting in 2027, raising the base cost from $4,100 to $4,438 per student. It also adjusts differentiated aid for specific student groups: increasing free/reduced lunch support from $2,300 to $2,441 per qualifying student, English language learners from $800 to $866, and special education services from $2,100 to $3,203 per student. This bill directly affects all public school districts in New Hampshire, particularly those serving students who qualify for these targeted supports. The fiscal note estimates it will increase state education spending by approximately $27 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028, primarily through the Education Trust Fund.
