Education

HB 1792 prohibits New Hampshire public schools and staff from teaching critical race theory, LGBTQ+ ideologies, or specific identity-based pedagogies that the bill defines as promoting division or anti-constitutional views. It specifically bans practices like requiring students to identify "oppressors" based on race/gender, prioritizing identity over shared values, or affirming non-binary gender identities as normative. The bill creates a private right of action, allowing parents or students to sue schools for violations. It explicitly excludes factual, neutral instruction on history or events. The law aims to preserve "neutral or patriotic" education while restricting certain teaching methods deemed divisive.

SB 601 changes how New Hampshire funds pension costs for public employees in school districts and municipal employers. Beginning July 1, 2026, the state will pay 7.5% of pension contributions for group I teachers (school districts) and group II members (municipal employees), shifting the remaining 92.5% to local employers. The state’s share will be transferred from the education trust fund to the retirement system quarterly, treated as part of general revenue. This affects school districts and municipalities that employ teachers or municipal staff covered under the state retirement system. The bill modifies existing contribution rules without new funding or positions.