Education (School Choice)

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 748: establishing a local education freedom account program.

HB 748 establishes a Local Education Freedom Account (LEFA) program that allows parents of eligible students in participating school districts to receive grants from approved scholarship organizations for educational expenses. Eligible students include those attending public or charter schools, kindergarten students, or those receiving home education, who are aged 5-20 and not high school graduates. The program provides grants equal to twice the standard per-pupil education funding (approximately $8,531 for base aid), which can be used for tuition, textbooks, tutoring, transportation, online learning, and educational therapies. School districts must adopt the program through a 3/5 majority vote at a school meeting, and participating students remain counted in their district's enrollment for funding purposes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRedirects state education funding (twice per-pupil amount) to private scholarships, defunding public school programs by diverting existing public education funds.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates LEFA program providing grants for educational expenses, expanding access to funding beyond traditional public schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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died · New Hampshire · Senate Aug 20, 2026

SB 101: authorizing parents to enroll their children in any public school in the state.

This bill allows New Hampshire parents to enroll their children in any public school in the state, regardless of where the family lives. It removes the requirement that children attend the school assigned to their resident district and makes all public schools "open enrollment" schools. The bill requires school districts to post school capacity information online, report on transfer applications, and establish policies for student transfers. Funding for students transferring to a different district will be based on the resident district's average cost per pupil, with potential additional costs borne by parents. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves geographic enrollment barriers, expanding K-12 school access for parents and students across districts without restricting options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 709: allowing parents or guardians to admit their children into any school district where they pay any property or school district taxes.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by allowing parents to enroll children in any district where they pay taxes, removing geographic barriers to school choice in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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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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passed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 741: allowing parents to send their children to any school district they choose.

HB 741 would allow New Hampshire parents to send their children to any public school district in the state, not just their resident district. The bill creates "open enrollment" schools that can accept students from outside their district, with the student's resident district paying 80% of the average cost per pupil to the receiving district. School districts may deny enrollment only for specific reasons including expulsion, documented disciplinary issues, chronic absenteeism, or lack of available space. This policy would take effect January 1, 2026, and apply to all public schools in New Hampshire, though school districts would not be required to participate in open enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling out-of-district school enrollment, directly aligning with the topic's focus on access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice School Funding

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 491: enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding and removing references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.

SB 491 allows New Hampshire students receiving Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds to use those funds for career and technical education (CTE) programs. It amends state education laws to require the Department of Education to establish separate funding formulas for CTE tuition and transportation costs, and clarifies that EFA grant recipients in grades 9-12 can enroll in CTE programs using their EFA funds. The bill also mandates scholarship organizations to provide students with information about CTE enrollment opportunities. This change takes effect July 1, 2027, and does not require new state revenue or appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands EFA fund usage for CTE programs, increasing student access to career education funding and clarifying enrollment eligibility for grades 9-12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1055: granting the state board of education rulemaking authority relative to student use of cell phones and personal communication devices in schools.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates policies to restrict cell phone use during instruction, aiming to reduce distractions and support focused learning environments in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Safety

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1512: allowing municipalities to hold a vote to prevent their residents from receiving education freedom account vouchers.

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.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts state-funded education vouchers by enabling municipalities to block access, effectively defunding the program in those areas and limiting government spending on education accounts.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill enables municipalities to restrict access to state-funded education vouchers via referendum, directly limiting educational access for residents in those areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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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

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1803: rendering a recipient of an education tax credit scholarship ineligible to receive education freedom account funds in the same program year.

HB 1803 prohibits students from receiving both education tax credit scholarships (under RSA 77-G:2) and education freedom account funds (under RSA 194-F:2) in the same program year. This directly affects students currently using or eligible for both programs, requiring them to choose one funding source per year. The bill also removes an additional $2,036 grant for the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) when students in either program enroll part-time, shifting tuition responsibility to families. These changes aim to prevent duplicate funding and adjust state payments for specific school enrollments.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts dual funding for education programs, removing $2,036 grant for VLACS during part-time enrollment, limiting fiscal options and defunding overlapping programs.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts dual funding access by prohibiting combined use of tax credit scholarships and freedom accounts, limiting educational financial options for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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