Education (Student Health)

in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 658: authorizing the department of education to establish a safe and resilient schools advisory council.

SB 658 establishes a Safe and Resilient Schools Advisory Council within New Hampshire's Department of Education to develop voluntary school safety guidelines. The council, including education officials, police, mental health experts, disability advocates, and parent representatives, will create training on trauma-informed discipline, neurodivergent student support, crisis response, and classroom accommodations. It must review existing programs and submit recommendations by November 2026, with annual updates, while a dedicated fund (using state, federal, and private resources) will support implementation. The bill directly affects schools choosing to adopt these voluntary guidelines to improve student behavioral health and reduce exclusionary discipline.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes advisory council to develop voluntary safety guidelines, trauma-informed discipline training, and neurodivergent student support, enhancing student programs and school environment in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Special Education Student Health

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 665: relative to eligibility for free school meals.

HB 665 expands eligibility for free school meals in New Hampshire to students from households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (approximately $93,600 annually for a family of four), raising the current threshold. This change directly affects all public school students in qualifying households, including those previously eligible only for reduced-price meals. The bill requires school districts to provide at least one free meal daily to these students, funded entirely through the Education Trust Fund without new state positions. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and aligns New Hampshire’s program with broader federal income guidelines for school nutrition assistance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands free meal eligibility to 300% poverty level, increasing access for K-12 students and fully funding through Education budget, directly advancing educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 208: relative to certification requirements for school nurses.

HB 208 updates certification rules for school nurses in New Hampshire by requiring 3 years of current experience in acute/chronic pediatric care (replacing broader "related nursing areas" language) and adding leadership skills in professional nursing practice as a competency requirement. It directly affects school nurses seeking or renewing certification in the state. The bill amends RSA 200:29 to tighten clinical experience standards and emphasizes pediatric-focused skills. The Legislative Budget Assistant estimates minimal fiscal impact ($10,000 or less annually through 2028). The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationTightens certification standards for school nurses, requiring pediatric expertise and leadership skills to strengthen student health services in K-12 schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTightens certification standards for school nurses, requiring pediatric experience and leadership skills, strengthening healthcare workforce qualifications in school settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Children's Health

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 651: modifying the base cost and differential aid costs of an adequate education.

HB 651 increases the base cost of an adequate education per student from $4,100 to $7,356.01 and raises differential aid amounts for specific student groups: free or reduced-price meal eligible students by $1,733.28 (to $4,126.20), English language learners by $602.88 (to $1,435.20), and students with special education needs by $1,582.56 (to $3,767.40). The bill also expands the definition of an adequate education to include additional resource elements like teacher benefits, technology, and facility maintenance. This change, effective July 1, 2025, will require higher state funding for school districts, charter schools, and education freedom accounts, with an estimated $576 million increase for school districts in fiscal year 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state education funding per student and differential aid for vulnerable groups, directly advancing public service budget allocation and fiscal support for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases base education cost per student and differential aid for specific groups, expanding adequate education definition to include teacher benefits, technology, and facilities.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly expands 'adequate education' definition to include 'technology' as a required resource element, mandating funding for tech infrastructure in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Choice School Funding Student Health

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 204: relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor.

SB 204 requires New Hampshire school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students from households earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty level during school hours. It reimburses schools at 50% of the difference between federal free meal rates and paid/reduced rates, with local districts covering the remaining 50%. The bill appropriates $500,000 to help districts implement online applications for meal eligibility and covers administrative costs for the Department of Education. This directly affects public school districts and low-income students, expanding meal access while establishing a new online application process for qualifying families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $500,000 to fund school meal program, directly supporting state budget allocation for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free school meals for low-income students, reimburses districts, and appropriates $500k to expand access, directly strengthening educational equity and student well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Student Health

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passed · New Hampshire · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1121: defining the cost of an adequate education.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates inclusion of teachers, counselors, supplies, and maintenance in state funding calculations for public schools, ensuring adequate resource allocation for education.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of teachers, counselors, supplies, and infrastructure in funding calculations to ensure adequate resource allocation for schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly mandates technology as a required resource in school funding calculations, directly supporting educational technology investment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1453: relative to student school board members.

HB 1453 allows high school students to directly elect one or more student members to serve on their local school board. It requires schools to hold direct student elections (using paper ballots during second class) 30 days after the school year starts, with eligible students in good academic/behavioral standing who won't graduate during the term. Student members serve one academic year (non-voting but can speak, propose agenda items, and report student concerns), while school staff face penalties for interfering with elections or suppressing student rights. The bill directly affects public high school students and ensures their voices are formally included in school board discussions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables student representation on school boards, enhancing student voice in educational decision-making and governance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1574: relative to the extension of the free and reduced price breakfast and lunch programs and supporting administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and making appropriations therefor.

HB 1574 allows New Hampshire school districts to extend free and reduced-price lunch benefits to special education students who are 21 years old but continue their education through age 22, as required by their individualized education plan (IEP). The bill authorizes school boards to maintain eligibility for these students until their IEP is completed or they turn 22, whichever comes first. The state will reimburse school districts for these meals through the general fund at the same rate as federal USDA meal programs. This change directly affects students with IEPs who remain in school beyond age 21, removing a barrier to nutritional support during their extended education. The policy takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes state reimbursement via general fund for extended meal benefits, increasing public service funding for special education students.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends free/reduced lunch benefits to special education students (up to age 22) under IEP requirements, expanding educational access and nutrition support for vulnerable students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Special Education Student Health

failed · New Hampshire · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 432: authorizing the application of sunscreen in schools and camps without a licensed health care provider's note or prescription and establishing a skin cancer prevention education program.

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."

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates skin cancer prevention education in schools, enhancing health curriculum and student safety programs within K-12 settings.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates skin cancer prevention education and sunscreen access in schools, advancing public health initiatives to protect students' health through preventive care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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failed · New Hampshire · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 1635: modifying the requirements of suicide prevention education policies in schools.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates staff suicide awareness training to enhance student safety, aligning with protective education policies in K-12 schools.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide prevention training for school staff, enhancing mental health support in schools through risk factor education and referral protocols.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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