Committee Summary for House Education Policy and Administration (04/09/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB34 00:05:56.720 - 8:33:47 AM	Public Hearing	relative to parental consent for student participation in Medicaid to schools program.	Ward, Ruth(R)[C+]2024
SB100 01:05:45.599 - 9:33:36 AM	Public Hearing	relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB34 2024-1453h 00:05:56.720 - 8:33:47 AM	Public Hearing	relative to parental consent for student participation in Medicaid to schools program.	Ward, Ruth(R)[C+]2024
SB100 01:05:45.599 - 9:33:36 AM	Public Hearing	relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB96 02:02:22.800 - 10:30:13 AM	Public Hearing	relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB34 00:05:56.720 - 8:33:47 AM	Public Hearing	relative to parental consent for student participation in Medicaid to schools program.	Ward, Ruth(R)[C+]2024
SB100 01:05:45.599 - 9:33:36 AM	Public Hearing	relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB96 02:02:22.800 - 10:30:13 AM	Public Hearing	relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB100 01:05:45.599 - 9:33:36 AM	Public Hearing	relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB96 02:02:22.800 - 10:30:13 AM	Public Hearing	relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024

SB34: Ruth Ward, Senate District 8 Support00:05:56.720 - 8:33:47 AM; Senator Ruth Ward introduced Senate Bill 34, which was recommended by a committee studying consent and confidentiality laws in adolescent healthcare. The bill requires schools to obtain parental consent for each new service provided to a student under the Medicaid to schools program. It also mandates that certain legislative policy committees receive reports on the program to ensure transparency and parental involvement, especially important given federal proposals to remove parental consent. She suggested an amendment to change 'new service' to 'new care plan', but it arrived too late for her to include it in the bill.
SB34: Christine Stoddard, Bi-State Primary Care Association; Betsy Berdis, Amoskeag Health, Manchester Oppose00:10:29.200 - 8:38:20 AM; Christine Stoddard and Betsy Berdis testified in opposition to SB34 as written, citing the burdensome nature of requiring parental consent for every change in diagnosis. They highlighted the potential delays in care and the complexity of monitoring diagnosis changes. They support the amendment to change the requirement to consent for changes in the care plan rather than each diagnosis, which they believe aligns better with current statute and would not interrupt services.
SB34: David Charny, Deputy Medicaid Director Information Only00:30:59.919 - 8:58:50 AM; David Charny provided operational details on the Medicaid to schools program, explaining that using care plans rather than ICD10 codes for consent is more feasible due to the complexity and frequent changes in coding. He clarified that the law already requires parental consent for the program, but the bill would explicitly mandate consent for changes in care plans, which could add a layer of complexity but would not stop services as written.
SB34: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:44:45.319 - 9:12:36 AM; Becky Wilson provided clarification on the Medicaid to schools program, explaining that it is separate from IEPs and focuses on billing for medically necessary services provided in schools. She highlighted the complexity of the program and the extensive training required. She also mentioned that House Bill 2 addresses consent in a way that would require it even if federal rules change. Wilson emphasized the need for any changes to be incorporated into the upcoming retraining efforts due to the program's complexity.
SB100: Senator Tim Lang, District 2, Lakes Region Support01:05:45.599 - 9:33:36 AM; Senator Tim Lang introduced Senate Bill 100, aimed at correcting the constitutional vagueness of the 'divisive concepts' law, which was ruled unconstitutional. The bill adds 'intentionally or knowingly' to clarify the mental state required for a violation, focusing on prohibiting the teaching of four specific concepts related to racial and gender superiority or discrimination. He emphasized that the bill does not prohibit teaching history or current events but rather the inappropriate teaching of these concepts.
SB100: Ian Hewitt, Council for Cornerstone Information Only01:24:54.800 - 9:52:45 AM; Ian Hewitt from Cornerstone, a Christian advocacy organization, supported the need for the CRT prohibition but noted that the bill, as presented, would not fully overcome the district court's injunction. He emphasized that the law's scope needs to be clarified beyond just adjusting the scienter requirement. He also pointed out the lack of enforcement by the Department of Education and suggested the need for explicit agency enforcement to ensure the law's effectiveness.
SB34 2024-1453h: Ruth Ward, Senator District 8 Support00:05:56.720 - 8:33:47 AM; Senator Ruth Ward introduced Senate Bill 34, which requires schools to obtain parental consent for each new service provided to a student under the Medicaid to Schools program. The bill aims to provide transparency, protect parental involvement, and ensure continuity of care. It was recommended by a committee studying consent and confidentiality laws. Ward mentioned a proposed amendment from the primary care association and HHS, which she received too late to include in the bill but supports. She suggested that the House consider the amendment.
SB34 2024-1453h: Christine Stoddard, Bi-State Primary Care Association Oppose00:10:29.200 - 8:38:20 AM; Christine Stoddard from the Bi-State Primary Care Association, alongside Betsy Berdis from Amoskeag Health, expressed opposition to Senate Bill 34 as currently written. They highlighted the burdensome nature of requiring consent for every change in diagnosis, which could delay care and be difficult to monitor. They supported the amendment, which changes the requirement from 'new service' to 'new care plan', clarifying that consent would only be needed for changes in the care plan, not for every diagnosis code change.
SB34 2024-1453h: Betsy Berdis, Amoskeag Health, Manchester Oppose00:10:29.200 - 8:38:20 AM; Betsy Berdis from Amoskeag Health in Manchester, alongside Christine Stoddard, opposed Senate Bill 34 as it currently stands. They noted that the bill's requirement for consent for each diagnosis change could be burdensome for parents and staff, potentially delay care, and complicate monitoring by state Medicaid. They supported the amendment, which they believe aligns with current statute and would clarify the consent process.
SB34 2024-1453h: David Charny, Deputy Medicaid Director, Department of Health and Human Services Information Only00:30:59.919 - 8:58:50 AM; David Charny from the Department of Health and Human Services explained the operational aspects of the Medicaid to Schools program. He supported the amendment to Senate Bill 34, stating it would be more operationally feasible to require consent based on changes to the care plan rather than ICD10 codes. He clarified that current law requires parental consent for student participation and annual billing consent. Charny emphasized that the bill would make explicit the requirement for consent when the care plan changes.
SB34 2024-1453h: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:44:45.319 - 9:12:36 AM; Becky Wilson from the New Hampshire School Boards Association provided clarification on the Medicaid to Schools program. She explained that the program is complex, requiring annual training for school staff and involves multiple steps for reimbursement. Wilson noted that the program does not affect whether a child receives services but allows schools to bill Medicaid for services provided. She emphasized that any changes to consent requirements should be incorporated into the ongoing revisions of the program, as it directly impacts local tax rates.
SB100: Tim Lang, Senator District 2, Lakes Region Support01:05:45.599 - 9:33:36 AM; Senator Tim Lang introduced Senate Bill 100, aiming to correct the constitutional vagueness of the divisive concepts law, which was struck down by a federal court. The bill adds the requirement that teachers must 'intentionally or knowingly' teach the prohibited concepts. Lang clarified that the bill does not ban teaching historical facts but aims to prevent teaching that any group is inherently superior or inferior based on identity. He emphasized that teachers, being well-educated, should be able to discern what is appropriate to teach.
SB100: Ian Hewitt, Council for Cornerstone, Concord Support01:24:54.800 - 9:52:45 AM; Ian Hewitt from Cornerstone supported Senate Bill 100, emphasizing the need to address the constitutional vagueness of the divisive concepts law. He noted that the Department of Education did not enforce the original law, despite numerous complaints. Hewitt stressed that the bill's scienter requirement should be addressed, but the main issue is the scope of the prohibition, which needs clarification to overcome the injunction. He suggested that agency enforcement should also be explicitly required.
SB96: Tim Lang, Senator District 2, Lakes Region Support02:02:22.800 - 10:30:13 AM; Senator Tim Lang introduced Senate Bill 96, known as the Honesty and Transparency in Education Act. The bill mandates that school district employees provide complete and honest responses to parental inquiries about their child within ten business days. It includes an exemption for information that might put a student at risk, triggering mandatory reporting laws. Lang emphasized the bill's aim to restore trust between parents and schools, arguing that teachers should not keep secrets from parents unless it's for the child's safety.
SB96: Sarah Terrell, Lebanon Oppose02:26:10.800 - 10:54:01 AM; Sarah Terrell from Lebanon opposed Senate Bill 96, arguing that it assumes educators and parents are on opposite sides, which she believes is not true. She expressed concern about the bill's potential to force schools to disclose a student's LGBTQ identity before they are ready, which could lead to harm. Terrell criticized the bill's clause on reporting potential harm to DCYF, as it cannot act on speculative harm, leaving educators in an impossible position.
SB96: David Trumbull, Dover Oppose02:30:39.520 - 10:58:30 AM; David Trumbull from Dover opposed Senate Bill 96, citing a court case that balanced parents' rights with students' rights. He argued that the bill reduces honesty by removing the ability for children to have trusted conversations with adults. Trumbull highlighted the potential harm to students, including increased teenage homelessness and suicide risk due to lack of supportive adults. He criticized the bill for giving 100% weight to parents' rights and none to children's rights.
SB96: Zoe Hill, Lebanon Oppose02:36:17.359 - 11:04:08 AM; Zoe Hill from Lebanon opposed Senate Bill 96, emphasizing the importance of adolescents having privacy from their parents and safe spaces to share information. She argued that the bill would create a chilling effect, eliminating safe spaces for students and potentially harming their mental health. Hill urged the committee to vote ITL on the bill for the sake of children's mental health.
SB96: Brian Hawkins, NEA New Hampshire Oppose02:42:01.120 - 11:09:52 AM; Brian Hawkins from NEA New Hampshire opposed Senate Bill 96, stating that it creates a confusing and intimidating process for educators. He highlighted the lack of clarity on what constitutes 'material information' and the subjective nature of 'honestly and completely.' Hawkins argued that the bill bypasses school administration and places undue pressure on educators to determine what information should be shared, potentially violating state or federal laws.
SB96: Deborah House, American Federation of Teachers Oppose02:46:27.760 - 11:14:18 AM; Deborah House from the American Federation of Teachers opposed Senate Bill 96, expressing concerns that it would hinder the partnership between teachers and parents. She criticized the bill's use of 'completely and honestly,' typically found in legal contexts, and noted the ambiguity around 'material information.' House argued that the bill's carveout for withholding information is ineffective, as DCYF cannot act on potential harm, thus betraying student trust.
SB96: Mike Moffett, Representative from Loudon Support02:54:29.520 - 11:22:20 AM; Representative Mike Moffett from Loudon supported Senate Bill 96, expressing concern about the cultural expectation that teachers should be the default trusted adults. He argued that this expectation places an undue burden on teachers and suggested that students should have other trusted adults, such as family members or community figures. Moffett believed the bill helps counter this cultural assumption and underscores the importance of not cutting parents out of the loop.
SB96: Lauren Celig, Representative from Durham Oppose03:08:03.920 - 11:35:54 AM; Representative Lauren Celig from Durham, a former teacher, opposed Senate Bill 96. She emphasized the importance of safe spaces for students to discuss personal issues, including gender identity and sexual orientation. Celig shared personal experiences of students confiding in her and argued that the bill would remove these safe spaces, potentially increasing suicide rates. She stressed that building relationships with children is the parents' responsibility, not the teachers', and criticized the bill for undermining trust in educators.
SB34: Ruth Ward, Senator from Senate District 8 Support00:05:56.720 - 8:33:47 AM; Senator Ruth Ward introduced Senate Bill 34, which was recommended by a committee studying consent and confidentiality laws. The bill requires schools to obtain parental consent for new services provided to students under the Medicaid to schools program and mandates certain policy committees to receive reports on the program. The intent is to ensure transparency, parental involvement, and continuity of care, especially since the federal register proposed removing parental consent for services in 2023. This change could particularly affect adolescents and young adults, including those in the disability community. Senator Ward also mentioned a proposed amendment that she received too late to incorporate into the bill but supports it.
SB34: Christine Stoddard, Bi-State Primary Care Association and Betsy Berdis, Amoskeag Health from Manchester Oppose00:10:29.200 - 8:38:20 AM; Christine Stoddard and Betsy Berdis from Bi-State Primary Care Association and Amoskeag Health in Manchester spoke in opposition to the bill as written but would support it with the proposed amendment. They highlighted the burdensome nature of the bill's current language, which requires consent for each diagnosis change, potentially delaying care and adding administrative burdens. The amendment changes the requirement from 'new service' to 'new care plan,' which they believe would be more aligned with current practices and less burdensome.
SB34: David Charny, Deputy Medicaid Director from the Department of Health and Human Services Information Only00:30:59.919 - 8:58:50 AM; David Charny from the Department of Health and Human Services provided operational context about Medicaid, explaining that the amendment proposed would be more feasible for the department to implement. He clarified that the current law already requires parental consent for participation in the Medicaid to schools program and for annual billing. The amendment would explicitly require consent for changes in the care plan, which could encompass multiple ICD10 codes, making it operationally simpler than requiring consent for each ICD10 code change.
SB34: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:44:45.319 - 9:12:36 AM; Becky Wilson from the New Hampshire School Boards Association provided clarification on the Medicaid to schools program, emphasizing its complexity and the need for parental consent for billing. She noted that the program does not affect whether a child receives services but allows schools to recoup costs. She expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact and the need for clear training to ensure compliance, especially with the program's upcoming revisions.
SB100: Tim Lang, Senator from the Lakes Region Support01:05:45.599 - 9:33:36 AM; Senator Tim Lang introduced Senate Bill 100, aiming to address the constitutional vagueness in the existing divisive concepts law. The bill adds the requirement of 'intentionally or knowingly' to clarify that teachers must be aware of what they are teaching. He emphasized that the bill does not prohibit teaching history but aims to prevent the teaching of concepts that one group is superior or inherently racist based on identifying characteristics. He argued that teachers are well-educated and can discern what is appropriate to teach.
SB100: Ian Hewitt, Council for Cornerstone Support01:24:54.800 - 9:52:45 AM; Ian Hewitt from Cornerstone supported the bill but noted that merely changing the scienter requirement might not be enough to overcome the district court's injunction. He argued that the primary issue raised by the court was the scope of the prohibition, specifically regarding affirmative action. He also emphasized the need for agency enforcement, as the Department of Education had not investigated any complaints filed by parents.
SB96: Tim Lang, Senator from the Lakes Region Support02:02:22.800 - 10:30:13 AM; Senator Tim Lang introduced Senate Bill 96, also known as the Honesty and Transparency in Education Act, which mandates that school employees provide complete and honest responses to parental inquiries within 10 business days. The bill includes exemptions for situations where disclosure could put a student at risk, which would trigger mandatory reporting laws. Lang argued that the bill is needed to restore trust between parents and the school system, emphasizing that the primary trust relationship is between the parent and the school, not the teacher and the student.
SB96: Sarah Terrell, parent from Lebanon Oppose02:26:10.800 - 10:54:01 AM; Sarah Terrell from Lebanon opposed Senate Bill 96, arguing that it undermines the partnerships between parents and educators and could force schools to disclose a student's LGBTQ identity before they are ready. She highlighted the potential harm to students, especially those with unsupportive families, and criticized the bill's reliance on DCYF to investigate potential harm, which she claimed cannot act on speculative harm.
SB96: David Trumbull, resident from Derry Oppose02:30:39.520 - 10:58:30 AM; David Trumbull from Derry opposed the bill, citing a court case that upheld a school's policy on disclosing a student's LGBTQ status. He argued that the bill reduces honesty by eroding trust between students and teachers, potentially leading to increased teenage homelessness and suicide rates among LGBTQ youth. He emphasized that the bill gives 100% weight to parental rights at the expense of children's rights.
SB96: Zoe Hill, resident from Lebanon Oppose02:36:17.359 - 11:04:08 AM; Zoe Hill from Lebanon opposed Senate Bill 96, emphasizing the importance of privacy for adolescents. She argued that the bill would create a chilling effect, eliminating safe spaces for students to share information with teachers, potentially harming their mental health and increasing the risk of self-harm and suicide.
SB96: Brian Hawkins, NEA New Hampshire Oppose02:42:01.120 - 11:09:52 AM; Brian Hawkins from NEA New Hampshire opposed Senate Bill 96, stating that it creates a confusing and intimidating process for educators. He argued that the bill's standards of 'completely and honestly' are subjective and difficult to enforce, and that it bypasses school administration by putting the onus directly on educators. He suggested that the bill could hinder the partnership between parents and educators.
SB96: Deborah House, President of the American Federation of Teachers Oppose02:46:27.760 - 11:14:18 AM; Deborah House from the American Federation of Teachers opposed Senate Bill 96, arguing that it could interfere with the collaboration between parents and teachers. She criticized the bill's language, particularly the use of 'completely and honestly,' which she associated with legalistic contexts like court testimonies. She also noted that the bill's carve-out for imminent risk does not align with DCYF's ability to act on potential harm.
SB96: Mike Moffett, Representative from Loudon Support02:54:29.520 - 11:22:20 AM; Representative Mike Moffett from Loudon supported Senate Bill 96, expressing concern about the cultural expectation that teachers should be the default trusted adult for students. He argued that this assumption places an undue burden on teachers and suggested that other adults, such as relatives or community members, should also be considered trusted adults. He emphasized that the bill helps counter this cultural expectation.
SB96: Lauren Celic, Representative from Durham Oppose03:08:03.920 - 11:35:54 AM; Representative Lauren Celic from Durham opposed Senate Bill 96, sharing personal experiences as a former teacher and parent. She emphasized the importance of safe spaces for students to discuss personal issues with teachers, including gender identity and sexual orientation. She argued that the bill could increase suicide rates among teens by removing these safe spaces and criticized it for undermining the trust between students and teachers.
SB96: Christine Stoddard, Bystander Primary Care Association representing New Hampshire's 10 community health centers Oppose00:10:29.200 - 8:38:20 AM; Christine Stoddard, representing Bystander Primary Care Association, expressed opposition to SB96 as currently written. She noted that using diagnosis changes as the basis for consent would be burdensome for parents, school staff, and students, potentially delaying care. Stoddard suggested that an amendment would be supported, clarifying that only the care plan should require consent, not each diagnosis change. She took responsibility for the delay in submitting the amendment to Senator Ward.
SB96: Betsy Berdis from Amoskeag Health, Manchester Oppose00:11:39.440 - 8:39:30 AM; Betsy Berdis from Amoskeag Health in Manchester reiterated opposition to SB96 as currently written due to the potential for disruption and delay in student care. She supported the proposed amendment which would clarify that consent is required for the care plan, not for each individual diagnosis change. Berdis explained that during an appointment, a diagnosis could change, and the current bill would require stopping the session to obtain new consent, which could be problematic logistically and practically for parents.
SB96: David Charny, Deputy Medicaid Director Information Only00:30:59.919 - 8:58:50 AM; David Charny, the Deputy Medicaid Director, clarified operational aspects of the Medicaid to schools program. He explained that with over 70,000 ICD10 codes, basing consent on care plans rather than each diagnosis change would be more feasible. Charny noted that the proposed amendment aligns with current practices and would not require stopping services mid-appointment for new consent. He also addressed the relationship between the bill and existing laws, stating that consent is already required for Medicaid services.
SB96: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only00:44:45.319 - 9:12:36 AM; Becky Wilson from the New Hampshire School Boards Association provided clarification on the Medicaid to schools program. She explained that the program does not affect whether a child receives services, but rather allows schools to bill Medicaid for medically necessary services provided in school. Wilson emphasized the complexity of the program and the extensive training required for school staff. She noted that changes to consent requirements should be integrated into upcoming revisions of the program to avoid further complications.
SB100: Senator Tim Lang, District 2, Lakes Region Support01:05:45.599 - 9:33:36 AM; Senator Tim Lang introduced Senate Bill 100, which aims to address the constitutional vagueness of a law challenged in court in 2001, termed the 'divisive concepts' law. The bill seeks to clarify that teachers must intentionally or knowingly teach concepts deemed inappropriate, such as one group being superior to another based on certain characteristics. He emphasized the importance of historical context in teaching, using examples like the KKK and apartheid to illustrate that teaching history is acceptable, but teaching that certain groups are inherently racist or sexist is not. Lang responded to various questions from representatives about the application of the bill in different educational scenarios, asserting that teachers are well-educated and capable of making discerning decisions.
SB100: Ian Hewitt, Council for Cornerstone, New Hampshire Information Only01:24:54.800 - 9:52:45 AM; Ian Hewitt from Cornerstone, a Christian advocacy organization, testified on Senate Bill 100. He acknowledged the efforts of Senator Lang in supporting the CRT prohibition but expressed concerns about the bill's effectiveness in overcoming the district court's injunction. Hewitt argued that while adjusting the scienter requirement (intentionally or knowingly) helps, the primary issue raised by Judge Barbadoro was the scope of the prohibition, specifically whether the law prohibits teaching that affirmative action is beneficial. He also noted the lack of enforcement by the Department of Education and suggested that clearer enforcement mechanisms are needed for the law to be effective.
SB96: Senator Tim Lang, District 2, Lakes Region Support02:02:22.800 - 10:30:13 AM; Senator Tim Lang introduced Senate Bill 96, titled the 'Honesty and Transparency in Education Act,' which mandates that school districts respond completely and honestly to parental requests about their child within ten business days. He emphasized that the primary trust relationship should be between parents and the school, not between teachers and students. Lang argued that the bill would enhance trust by ensuring transparency and noted that teachers are relieved from deciding what to disclose, except in cases where disclosure could put a child at imminent risk of harm, which would trigger mandatory reporting.
SB96: Sarah Terrell, Lebanon Oppose02:26:10.800 - 10:54:01 AM; Sarah Terrell, a resident of Lebanon and a parent, opposed Senate Bill 96. She argued that the bill assumes a conflict between parents and educators, which she believes is not the case. Terrell expressed concerns about the bill potentially forcing schools to disclose a student's LGBTQ identity before they are ready, which could lead to harm. She highlighted that the bill's provision for reporting to DCYF if a student is at risk is ineffective since DCYF cannot investigate potential harm, only actual harm. Terrell urged the committee to vote the bill as inexpedient to legislate (ITL) to protect students' privacy and safety.
SB96: David Trumbull, Nashua Oppose02:30:39.520 - 10:58:30 AM; David Trumbull from Nashua opposed Senate Bill 96, citing a court case (Doe v. Manchester School District) that ruled schools do not have to reveal a student's LGBTQ status to parents in all instances. He argued that the bill undermines the rights of children to live authentically and could increase teenage homelessness among LGBTQ youth. Trumbull also warned that the bill would erode the trusted adult relationships essential for reducing suicide risks among students, emphasizing the importance of balancing parental and children's rights.
SB96: Zoe Hill, Lebanon Oppose02:36:17.359 - 11:04:08 AM; Zoe Hill from Lebanon opposed Senate Bill 96, arguing that adolescents deserve privacy and safe spaces to share information. She warned that the bill would create a chilling effect, eliminating safe spaces for students to speak freely, which could negatively impact their mental health and potentially lead to self-harm or suicide. Hill urged the committee to vote ITL on the bill for the sake of children's mental health.
SB96: Brian Hawkins, NEA New Hampshire Oppose02:40:49.880 - 11:08:40 AM; Brian Hawkins from NEA New Hampshire opposed Senate Bill 96, stating that it is unclear what the bill aims to achieve and that it bypasses school administration by placing the onus directly on educators. He argued that the bill's requirements for complete and honest responses within a specific timeframe could place educators in a difficult position, especially regarding what constitutes 'material information.' Hawkins suggested that the bill could lead to confusion and intimidation among educators and urged the committee to find it inexpedient to legislate.
SB96: Deborah House, American Federation of Teachers Oppose02:46:27.760 - 11:14:18 AM; Deborah House, President of the American Federation of Teachers, opposed Senate Bill 96, expressing concern that it would hinder the partnership between teachers and parents. She criticized the bill's standards of 'completely and honestly' as subjective and difficult to enforce in a school setting. House also highlighted the false sense of security provided by the bill's carveout for imminent risk, as DCYF cannot act on potential harm. She argued that the bill could force teachers to betray student trust and urged the committee to consider alternative solutions that foster collaboration between parents and teachers.
SB96: Representative Mike Moffett, Loudon Support02:54:29.520 - 11:22:20 AM; Representative Mike Moffett from Loudon supported Senate Bill 96, expressing concern about the cultural expectation that teachers should be the default trusted adults for students. He argued that this assumption places an unfair burden on teachers and suggested that other adults, such as relatives or community members, should also be considered trusted figures. Moffett emphasized the importance of not cutting parents out of the loop and highlighted the need for common sense in handling sensitive situations.
SB96: Representative Lauren Celic, Durham Oppose03:08:03.920 - 11:35:54 AM; Representative Lauren Celic from Durham opposed Senate Bill 96, sharing her experience as a former teacher and parent. She emphasized the importance of safe spaces for students to discuss personal issues, including gender identity and sexual orientation, without fear of disclosure. Celic argued that the bill could harm children by severing relationships and increasing suicide rates among teens. She shared a tragic story of a student who took his own life due to lack of parental acceptance, underscoring the need for trusted adults in schools. Celic urged the committee to kill the bill to protect students' well-being.
SB96: Senator Tim Lang, Lakes Region Support02:02:22.800 - 10:30:13 AM; Senator Lang introduced Senate Bill 96, titled the Honesty and Transparency in Education Act, which mandates that school district employees provide honest and complete responses to parental inquiries about their child within 10 business days. The bill includes an exemption for situations where disclosure might put a child at imminent risk of physical harm, abuse, or neglect, which then triggers the mandatory reporting law. The bill also allows the Department of Education to adopt rules to implement this new law, and violations would be considered breaches of the educators' code of conduct. Senator Lang emphasized the bill's aim to restore trust between parents and the school system, particularly in light of declining trust in government institutions post-COVID. He argued that the bill does not mandate teachers to proactively disclose information but to respond truthfully when parents ask, unless there is a risk to the child. The discussion included questions on the bill's impact on teacher-student relationships, privacy rights, and its potential to relieve teachers from deciding what information to withhold.
SB96: Sarah Terrell, New Hampshire Oppose02:26:10.800 - 10:54:01 AM; Sarah Terrell, a parent from New Hampshire, expressed concerns over SB96, arguing that it assumes an adversarial relationship between parents and educators, which she believes is not true based on her experience. She highlighted the potential harm of forcing schools to disclose a student's LGBTQ identity before they are ready, sharing a personal story of her daughter coming out. Terrell pointed out a flaw in the bill's clause regarding reporting to DCYF, noting that New Hampshire law does not allow for reports based on speculative harm. She argued that the bill undermines student privacy, safety, and dignity and urged the committee to vote ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) on the bill.
SB96: David Trumbull, New Hampshire Oppose02:30:39.520 - 10:58:30 AM; David Trumbull opposed SB96, citing a previous court case (Do v. Manchester School District) that supported a school's policy not to disclose a student's LGBTQ status to parents in certain situations. He argued that the bill goes against the state's constitution, reduces honesty by removing children's ability to have private conversations with trusted adults, and could lead to increased teenage homelessness and loss of trusted adults, potentially increasing suicide risks among youth. Trumbull emphasized the importance of balancing parents' rights with children's rights and criticized the bill for favoring parental rights completely.
SB96: Zoe Hill, Lebanon Oppose02:36:17.359 - 11:04:08 AM; Zoe Hill from Lebanon opposed SB96, highlighting the need for adolescents to have privacy from their parents and safe spaces to share information. She argued that the bill would create a chilling effect, eliminating safe spaces for students, which could negatively impact their mental health and potentially lead to self-harm or suicide. Hill urged the committee to vote ITL on the bill for the sake of children's mental health.
SB96: Brian Hawkins, NEA New Hampshire Oppose02:42:01.120 - 11:09:52 AM; Brian Hawkins from NEA New Hampshire opposed SB96, questioning the bill's purpose and expressing concerns about its impact on educators. He highlighted that teachers are trusted professionals who welcome discussions with parents and that issues with school district policies should be addressed through administrative channels, not through legislation that creates parallel processes and penalties. Hawkins noted the ambiguity in defining 'material information' and the subjective nature of 'honestly and completely,' which could place educators in difficult positions. He argued that the bill could intimidate educators and does not serve the students' educational interests, urging the committee to find the bill inexpedient to legislate.
SB96: Deborah House, American Federation of Teachers Oppose02:46:27.760 - 11:14:18 AM; Deborah House, representing the American Federation of Teachers, opposed SB96, stating that it could interfere with the collaborative relationship between teachers and parents. She questioned the bill's use of 'completely and honestly' and its applicability in a school setting, arguing that it could force teachers to delve deeper into personal matters than intended. House also criticized the bill's carveout for imminent risk, noting that DCYF cannot act on speculative harm, thus providing a false sense of security. She argued that the bill could betray student trust and urged the committee to work on solutions that support student success without the proposed legislation.
SB96: Representative Mike Moffett, Loudon Support02:54:29.520 - 11:22:20 AM; Representative Mike Moffett from Loudon supported SB96, expressing concerns about the cultural expectation that teachers should be the default trusted adult for students. He argued that this assumption places undue responsibility on teachers and that other adults, like relatives or community members, should also be considered trusted figures. Moffett believed the bill helps counter this emerging cultural assumption and emphasized the importance of not cutting parents out of the loop in their children's lives.
SB96: Representative Lauren Celic, Durham Oppose03:08:03.920 - 11:35:54 AM; Representative Lauren Celic from Durham opposed SB96, sharing her experiences as a former English teacher and the importance of fostering safe spaces for students to discuss personal issues. She recounted a student's trust in her after 9/11 and emphasized that students need safe spaces to talk about sensitive matters like gender identity and sexual orientation. Celic argued that the bill could increase suicide rates among teens and that it is the parents' responsibility to build relationships with their children, not teachers'. She shared a tragic story of a young man who took his life due to lack of parental acceptance, underscoring the need for students to have trusted adults they can confide in, urging the committee to oppose the bill.

Cordelli, Glenn(Chairman)(R)[A-]2024	Drye, Margaret(Clerk)(R)[A-]2024	Noble, Kristin(V Chairman)(R)[A+]2024
Cornell, Patricia(D)[CT]2024	Freeman, Lisa(R)[B+]2018	Hall, Muriel(D)[CT]2024
Terry, Paul(R)[A]2024	McDonnell, Valerie(R)[B+]2024	Selig, Loren(D)[CT]2024
Balboni, Peggy(D)[CT]2024	Murray, Megan(D)[CT]2024	Tenczar, Jeffrey(R)[B+]2024
Litchfield, Melissa(R)[A-]2022	Woodcock, Stephen(D)[CT]2024	Kluger, Lee Ann(D)
Snodgrass, Jim(D)	Morse, Bryan(R)	Nadeau, Brian(R)