Education (K-12 Education)

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 1573: permitting excused absences for student participation in certain activities and mandating the state board of education to grant school reassignment requests for students demonstrating a manifest educational hardship

HB 1573 allows New Hampshire public and charter school students to have absences excused for attending civic events (like government meetings or community hearings) or career/technical education (CTE) events (such as FFA, SkillsUSA, or DECA competitions). Schools must excuse up to two absences per 45-day period for these activities, requiring parental notice at least two school days in advance (except for election days) and proof of attendance. The bill also directs the state board of education to develop rules for awarding alternative academic credit toward graduation requirements for participation in these events. This applies specifically to students in grades K-12 at public and charter schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows excused absences for CTE/civic events, enhancing student access to educational programs without restricting participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education School Choice

passed both · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 578: relative to play-based curriculum and limitations on recess periods for pupils.

SB 578 requires all public schools to provide daily recess for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, expanding current requirements. It mandates play-based learning for kindergarten through third grade and explicitly prohibits withholding recess as punishment for misbehavior or incomplete schoolwork. The bill defines recess as unstructured outdoor play (when safe), separate from physical education classes. This law applies to all public schools in the state, directly affecting K-8 students and school policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates daily recess for K-8, requires play-based learning for K-3, and prohibits using recess as punishment, directly strengthening student well-being and educational programs in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Health

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1791: directing the department of education to establish a grant program at the post-secondary educational level for individuals with developmental disabilities, and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 1791 directs New Hampshire's Department of Education to create a competitive grant program for public colleges and universities. The program provides funding to institutions that develop comprehensive support services for students with developmental disabilities, ensuring equal access to academic courses, campus life, and employment opportunities. To qualify, institutions must offer peer mentoring, remove unnecessary admission barriers (like requiring high school diplomas or specific college entrance exams), and provide monthly progress coaching. The bill appropriates state funds to support this initiative, aiming to expand inclusive higher education options for this population.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund a grant program for post-secondary disability support services, directly advancing state budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects grant program for post-secondary support services for students with developmental disabilities, expanding educational access and equal opportunity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 581: modifying education freedom account (EFA) eligibility and removing priority guidelines and the enrollment cap relative to EFA eligibility.

SB 581 modifies New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program by removing two key restrictions: (1) priority guidelines that previously favored certain student groups, and (2) an enrollment cap limiting EFA participation to 10,000 students. This change means all eligible parents can apply for EFAs without being subject to priority rankings or enrollment limits. The bill repeals related legal definitions and provisions that enforced these restrictions, effective July 2026. It directly affects families seeking EFA funding for K-12 education options by expanding access to the program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves enrollment cap and priority guidelines, expanding EFA access to all eligible parents without restrictions, directly increasing educational access options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1507: requiring schools to provide a minimum amount of time for recess per day.

HB 1507 requires all New Hampshire public schools, school administrative units, and charter schools to provide a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes of recess daily for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The bill defines recess as unstructured outdoor play (weather permitting) without electronic devices (except for students with IEPs or 504 plans), and specifies that recess time counts as separate instructional time - not deducted from physical education or lunch periods. Schools may adjust recess time only for weather, special events, or emergencies, but cannot withhold it as punishment. This policy applies to all affected schools starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates minimum daily recess for K-6, promoting student well-being and structured play time in school day, enhancing student programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1524: requiring a logic and critical thinking course within the state high school education curriculum.

HB 1524 requires all New Hampshire public high schools to offer a logic and critical thinking course as part of their curriculum, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates a minimum of 54 instructional hours for this course and defines critical thinking as understanding evidence, identifying logical fallacies, and evaluating information sources like social media. The state board of education must develop policy guidelines for teaching the course, and schools must integrate existing critical thinking instruction into this new requirement. This directly affects all high school students and educators across the state, with no new state funding provided for implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates critical thinking curriculum enhancement, requiring 54 hours of instruction to develop evidence evaluation skills per bill's definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1399: making an appropriation to the Claremont school district for costs associated with a building renovation project from the revenue stabilization reserve account.

HB 1399 appropriates $5 million from New Hampshire's Revenue Stabilization Reserve Account (the "Rainy Day Fund") to reimburse the Claremont School District for part of the costs of renovating Stevens High School in 2015. The bill specifically addresses a project completed during a building aid moratorium, which the district needed to restore accreditation and maintain eligibility for future aid. This funding directly benefits the Claremont School District and Stevens High School, covering costs the district incurred but could not recover during the moratorium. The appropriation is a one-time payment from the state's rainy day fund, effective 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M from rainy day fund for school renovation, funding essential public infrastructure during aid moratorium.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $5M from Rainy Day Fund for school building renovation to restore accreditation and maintain future aid, directly supporting K-12 infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations K-12 Education

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1830: requiring firearm safety education in all public schools.

HB 1830 requires all New Hampshire public schools to provide annual firearm safety education to students in grades K-12 as part of health, physical education, or civics classes. The training must be age-appropriate - focusing on avoidance and reporting for grades K-5, and expanding to safe handling, storage, and legal responsibilities for grades 6-12 - using dummy firearms or multimedia resources (no live weapons). Parents may opt their children out under existing procedures, and school districts must report compliance annually to the state. The bill mandates the Department of Education to develop the curriculum by 2027 but provides no state funding, relying instead on grants and external resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates age-appropriate firearm safety education in K-12 curriculum, enhancing student safety programs within educational framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety

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died · New Hampshire · House Feb 27, 2026

HR 40: urging the legislature to adequately fund public education.

This House Resolution urges the New Hampshire legislature to fully fund K-12 public education at the level determined by the state Supreme Court in the Claremont series of rulings. It specifically references the court's 1993 and 1997 decisions, which established that the legislature must define, cost, fund, and ensure accountability for an adequate education. The resolution calls on the legislature to comply with the court's most recent findings regarding education funding requirements. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests legislative action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly urges full funding for K-12 education per court mandates, directly advancing public service funding within state budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges full funding of K-12 education per court rulings, directly advancing funding requirements established by Claremont decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget K-12 Education School Funding

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signed · New Hampshire · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 1467: relative to the New Hampshire seal of civic excellence and engagement program.

HB 1467 establishes the New Hampshire Seal of Civic Excellence and Engagement program, requiring the Department of Education to create criteria for high school students to earn a seal on their diplomas. It directly affects graduating high school students (starting with the 2027 class) who must complete two years of social studies (including a civics course), participate in civic activities like community service or student government, and demonstrate civics knowledge through assessments or portfolios. The seal, affixed to diplomas and noted on transcripts, recognizes proficiency in civics education and engagement. The bill does not provide funding for implementation, though the Department of Education estimates needing one new position costing about $81,000 annually starting in 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires civics curriculum, civic activities, and assessments for diploma seal - directly enhances student civic education standards and engagement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education