This bill allows students in New Hampshire public schools and camps to use over-the-counter sunscreen without a doctor's note or prescription. School and camp staff may assist with application upon parental permission, and the law requires schools to implement age-appropriate skin cancer prevention education covering UV risks and protective measures like sunscreen and sun-protective clothing (e.g., hats). It also protects staff from liability when following these guidelines, addressing current barriers where some schools prohibited sunscreen due to "medication bans."
HB 1055 requires school boards and charter school boards to create annual policies prohibiting student cell phone and personal communication device use during instructional time (from the first bell to dismissal), with exceptions for medical devices, disabilities (as defined in IEPs or 504 plans), or language support needs. The bill grants the state board of education authority to establish rules governing these school policies under RSA 541-A. It directly affects all public and charter schools, students, and school administrators by mandating specific device-use restrictions and requiring collaboration with parents and teachers in policy development. The law aims to standardize device policies while ensuring accommodations for students with documented medical, disability, or language learning needs.
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 1827 establishes a grant program to address funding gaps in New Hampshire school districts that lack sufficient fiscal capacity to provide an adequate education. The bill requires eligible districts to submit annual accountability plans detailing how grant funds will support academic growth in K-12, with progress reports due by January 15 each even year. It applies to all public school districts, including cooperative districts and those with tuition agreements, mandating that districts demonstrate how funds improve student achievement through standardized assessments. Crucially, the bill does not provide new state funding or authorize new positions - only creating a framework for existing Education Trust Fund resources to be allocated based on need. The program will take effect July 1, 2027.
HB 1828 requires New Hampshire's Department of Education to create an auditing process for teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities. The audit ensures these programs teach research-backed literacy instruction (including phonics, fluency, and vocabulary) aligned with the science of reading. The department must develop metrics to evaluate how effectively programs teach these methods and publish the results online. This directly affects all post-secondary institutions offering teacher training in New Hampshire.
HB 1819 requires the New Hampshire State Board of Education to annually review all education freedom account (EFA) service providers for compliance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws. It mandates these providers to develop policies mirroring those required of school districts under RSA 193:39. The bill directly affects EFA service providers managing education savings accounts, requiring them to maintain anti-discrimination policies and undergo yearly compliance checks. This adds a formal annual review process to ensure providers meet legal standards, with no new state costs as administrative tasks will be handled by existing scholarship organizations under current contracts.
HB 1256 removes a law that allowed New Hampshire's state librarian to award scholarships to students enrolled in graduate library programs accredited by the American Library Association. The bill repeals RSA 201-A:10, VII, ending the state librarian's authority to fund these scholarships. This change directly affects students seeking advanced degrees in library science at accredited institutions. The policy shift eliminates an existing state-funded support mechanism for library school students without creating new programs or requirements.
HB 1183 changes New Hampshire's high school graduation requirements by mandating that students complete four mathematics courses to meet the state's math competency standard for career and college readiness. This replaces the current option allowing students to fulfill the requirement with three math courses plus one non-math course that applied math skills (e.g., in career-technical education). The bill applies to all public high school students graduating after July 1, 2027, and requires school boards to approve the specific math courses. The change eliminates the flexibility of combining math with other subjects to meet the graduation standard.
HB 1383 simplifies the process for New Hampshire towns and school districts to override local tax caps. It removes the requirement that municipalities must use official ballot voting to approve budgets exceeding tax limits. Instead, legislative bodies can now use standard meeting procedures (like voice votes) to override caps, unless their charter already requires ballot voting. This change applies to existing tax caps without needing new local approval. The bill aims to streamline budget decisions while maintaining the existing 3/5 majority vote requirement for approval.
HB 1512 allows New Hampshire towns, cities, or municipalities to hold a local vote (referendum) to block residents from receiving education freedom account vouchers. If voters approve the "no" option in the referendum, eligible residents in that municipality would lose access to these state-funded education vouchers. The bill creates a formal process requiring municipalities to follow procedures similar to those for town meetings (RSA 40) when conducting such votes. This policy change directly affects residents in municipalities that choose to hold the referendum, with the vote outcome determining voucher eligibility starting July 1, 2026.
