Committee Summary for Senate Education (05/06/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB324 00:07:10.800 - 8:20:56 AM	Executive Session	relative to prohibiting obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools.	Cordelli, Glenn(R)[A-]2024
HB677 1791 00:08:21.599 - 8:22:07 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) requiring schools to maintain a supply of EpiPen injectors and epinephrine nasal spray for use in event of an emergency.	Drago, Mike(R)[A]2024
HB781 00:15:06.399 - 8:28:52 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) requiring school districts to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[A-]2022
HB235 00:20:49.840 - 8:34:35 AM	Executive Session	relative to amending the educator code of ethics and code of conduct to include responsibility to parents.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2024
HB354 00:24:00.360 - 8:37:46 AM	Executive Session	relative to alternate certification pathways for career and technical education instructors.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2024
HB361 00:26:15.080 - 8:40:01 AM	Executive Session	prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools.	Noble, Kristin(R)[A+]2024
HB699 01:02:27.359 - 9:16:13 AM	Public Hearing	relative to special education definitions.	Kuttab, Katelyn(R)[A-]2024
HB532 01:25:13.040 - 9:38:59 AM	Public Hearing	relative to alternative dispute resolution and individualized education plan team meeting facilitation.	Ball, Lorie(R)[B+]2024
HB446 02:10:35.679 - 10:24:21 AM	Public Hearing	relative to parental notice for non-academic surveys in public schools.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[A-]2022
HB676 02:50:32.439 - 11:04:18 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the composition and responsibilities of the parent and education service provider advisory commission, and establishing education freedom account impact and parent satisfaction surveys.	Cordelli, Glenn(R)[A-]2024
HB763 02:56:56.359 - 11:10:42 AM	Public Hearing	relative to school emergency plans for sports related injuries.	Drye, Margaret(R)[A-]2024

HB324: Senator Pentis Oppose00:07:10.800 - 8:20:56 AM; Senator Pentis opposed the bill, citing the existence of local systems handling such issues between libraries, school libraries, parents, and sometimes school boards. They expressed a preference for the Senate version of the bill, indicating concerns about the direction the current bill was taking.
HB677 1791: Unnamed Senator Support00:08:21.599 - 8:22:07 AM; The senator supported the bill and proposed an amendment to set up a dedicated non-lapsing fund for replenishing the supply of EP, similar to the structure used for AEDs. They emphasized the fiscal responsibility of having such a fund and the need to adjust the language to cover all hours of the school day.
HB781: Unnamed Senator Support00:15:06.399 - 8:28:52 AM; The senator supported the bill, highlighting the difference between 'restrict' and 'ban' in the policy regarding student cell phone use during class instruction. They believed that 'restrict' allows teachers more flexibility in the classroom, unlike the Senate version which initially proposed a ban.
HB781: Senator Prejudice Information Only00:16:05.680 - 8:29:51 AM; Senator Prejudice discussed concerns about alignment between the House and Senate versions of the bill, noting that both aim to have a policy on cell phone use but with different approaches. They suggested holding the bill until the status of the Senate version is clearer.
HB781: Senator Abbis Support00:17:09.439 - 8:30:55 AM; Senator Abbis supported moving forward with the bill, emphasizing the unpredictability of legislative outcomes and the importance of the policy over whether it's an HB or SB bill. They believed the policy was beneficial based on studies about cell phones in schools.
HB235: Unnamed Senator Oppose00:20:49.840 - 8:34:35 AM; The senator opposed the bill, expressing concerns about the potential disciplinary implications and the involvement of the board of education. They felt that the issue of parental involvement had been addressed in multiple places and that this bill was a step too far into the code of conduct for educators.
HB235: Senator Ward Support00:22:03.520 - 8:35:49 AM; Senator Ward supported the bill, arguing that educators have a responsibility not only to students but also to their families. They believed that families should be involved in discussions about what happens in schools.
HB354: Unnamed Senator Support00:24:00.360 - 8:37:46 AM; The senator supported the bill, appreciating the work done by Representative Lad and Senator Waters in aligning career and technical education. They highlighted the positive implications for the public safety profession and supported the bill's passage.
HB361: Unnamed Senator Oppose00:26:15.080 - 8:40:01 AM; The senator opposed the bill, arguing that local school boards should have the authority to make decisions about mask policies, especially in cases of respiratory illnesses. They believed that the state should not interfere with these local decisions.
HB361: Senator Sullivan Support00:27:15.919 - 8:41:01 AM; Senator Sullivan supported the bill, citing concerns from parents about the developmental delays and other issues caused by mandatory masking. They believed that parents were calling for this bill to prevent similar situations in the future.
HB361: Senator Apprentice Oppose00:28:18.399 - 8:42:04 AM; Senator Apprentice opposed the bill, arguing that the extreme circumstances of the pandemic should not dictate policy for all respiratory illnesses. They believed that a broad brush stroke approach was inappropriate and that individual choices should be respected.
HB361: Unnamed Senator Support00:29:10.880 - 8:42:56 AM; The senator supported the bill, sharing personal experiences with mask policies during the pandemic. They argued that mandating masks, especially for young children, was not appropriate and could lead to discipline issues and blame if someone got sick.
HB699: Representative Caitlyn Coutab Support01:02:27.359 - 9:16:13 AM; Representative Coutab introduced House Bill 699, which was requested by the Department of Education following a special education audit to ensure federal compliance. The bill aims to ensure that children receive specialized instruction from qualified specialists and that educational environments are approved by the bureau to prevent inappropriate settings like storage closets or boiler rooms. She addressed misinformation from the House hearings, clarifying that the bill does not remove related services but aligns with federal definitions. She emphasized the urgency of addressing unsafe educational practices immediately.
HB699: Rebecca Fet Support01:06:24.599 - 9:20:10 AM; Rebecca Fet, the state director of special education, supported the bill and explained the changes requested by the Department of Education. These changes included moving the definition of acquired brain injury from rules to law, aligning with federal definitions for specially designed instruction, and clarifying definitions for approved programs and educational environments. She emphasized that these changes were necessary to address confusion and align with federal standards.
HB699: Karen Rosenberg, Disability Rights Center Oppose01:12:40.080 - 9:26:26 AM; Karen Rosenberg expressed the Disability Rights Center's conflicted stance on the bill. She highlighted the lack of public access to the audit that influenced the bill, making it difficult to understand the proposed changes. While acknowledging the bill's goal to prevent inappropriate educational settings, she suggested an amendment to address this issue specifically and wait for the audit's release to consider other necessary changes. She emphasized the need for clear rules ensuring education in appropriate environments.
HB699: Bonnie Dunham, Marramac, New Hampshire Oppose01:16:54.360 - 9:30:40 AM; Bonnie Dunham opposed the bill, citing concerns about its potential to lead to more segregated education settings. She pointed out errors in the definitions, such as the eligibility criteria for acquired brain injury and the requirement for unanimous IEP team decisions on braille instruction. She also expressed concerns about the bill's impact on personnel shortages and the removal of language emphasizing ambitious goals for students. She suggested retaining the bill for further refinement.
HB699: Rebecca Fet Support01:20:57.280 - 9:34:43 AM; Rebecca Fet clarified that the audit is expected to be finalized by the end of the year and addressed concerns about personnel shortages, stating that IDEIDA allows for site-based licensing plans. She emphasized that the changes proposed in the bill were proactive and based on known issues, minimizing the risk of future changes causing disruption.
HB532: Representative Glenn Cordelli, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, and Ossipee Support01:25:13.040 - 9:38:59 AM; Representative Cordelli introduced House Bill 532, which aims to clarify alternative dispute resolutions. The bill, as amended by the House, distinguishes between neutral conferences, mediation, and IEP facilitation, outlining specific components for each.
HB532: Rebecca Fet, State Director of Special Education Support01:27:13.440 - 9:40:59 AM; Rebecca Fet supported the bill and explained that the initial version had removed IEP facilitation, which was added back after the dispute resolution audit. The amendments clearly delineate between the three dispute resolution methods, ensuring IEP facilitation remains included.
HB532: Bonnie Dunham, Marramac, New Hampshire Support01:28:09.679 - 9:41:55 AM; Bonnie Dunham supported the bill, noting that it rearranges RSA 186 C23 to separate IEP team facilitation from other forms of alternative dispute resolution. She appreciated the amendment's clarity in distinguishing between the different methods.
HB532: Diana Fenton, Department of Education Support01:29:33.120 - 9:43:19 AM; Diana Fenton supported an amendment to House Bill 532, sponsored by Senator Sullivan. She explained that the amendment would strike redundant language found in RSA 186 C7, which was added last year in response to the dispute resolution audit. The amendment was developed collaboratively and had Bonnie Dunham's agreement.
HB532: Melissa Lichfield, representing the towns of Brentwood, Fremont, and Danville Support01:32:40.000 - 9:46:26 AM; Melissa Lichfield spoke in support of the bill, emphasizing that the current statute requires all non-academic surveys, including the youth risk behavior survey, to be opt-in. She clarified that the bill does not aim to abolish the survey but to make it opt-in, addressing an inconsistency in the statute. Lichfield argued that the survey, which is not related to academics, pushes schools towards becoming social emotional agencies and is linked to local organizations seeking grant money. She raised concerns about the survey's anonymity and its potential to trigger trauma, citing examples of intrusive questions about mental health and substance use, and mentioned a case where a young man took his life after participating in the survey.
HB532: Steve Bosanowski, Amherst Oppose01:40:41.040 - 9:54:27 AM; Steve Bosanowski, a retired high-tech professional and member of the New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Council, opposed the bill. He shared his personal story of losing his son to suicide and emphasized the importance of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey in gathering data for effective suicide prevention policies. Bosanowski argued that making the survey opt-in would reduce participation and degrade data quality, which could hinder efforts to prevent future suicides. He provided an example of how data from the survey influenced policy to support the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting its value in policy development.
HB532: Aubrey Friedman, Bridgewater Support01:46:20.719 - 10:00:06 AM; Aubrey Friedman supported the bill, expressing concerns about the nature of the questions on the youth risk behavior survey, which he found shocking and inappropriate for middle school students. He argued that the bill would increase transparency by requiring schools to email the survey to parents, increasing the likelihood that parents would review the questions. Friedman also questioned the reliability of the survey data and suggested that the bill should include penalties for non-compliance by school districts. He believed that an opt-in approach was more ethical.
HB532: Representative Timothy Han, Strafford County District 10 (Durham) Information Only01:51:23.040 - 10:05:09 AM; Representative Timothy Han provided information about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, noting its value despite potential imperfections. He mentioned his past bills aimed at increasing participation in the survey and allowing electronic notifications to parents. Han highlighted that the survey addresses real issues faced by young people, even at younger ages, and emphasized the importance of not hiding these issues from children. He suggested that the bill should include charter schools and address data processing concerns, clarifying that measures exist to handle responses indicating a student might be in danger.
HB532: Vicky Harris, Dover Police Department Oppose01:59:23.679 - 10:13:09 AM; Vicky Harris from the Dover Police Department opposed the bill, stressing the importance of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey data for securing federal funds and tracking the effectiveness of community programs. She argued that making the survey opt-in would compromise the randomness and reliability of the data, particularly affecting at-risk students whose parents might be less likely to opt them in. Harris clarified that the survey data is protected, and schools do not receive raw data, refuting claims that teachers could identify students from the survey results.
HB532: Nancy Beerman, New Boston Support02:03:52.719 - 10:17:38 AM; Nancy Beerman supported the bill, sharing an anecdote about a family whose child was given the survey despite being opted out, leading to concerning behaviors. She raised concerns about the survey's questions, such as those about family members serving in the military, which could potentially identify students. Beerman also highlighted the issue of schools using surveys to obtain funding and questioned whether the programs funded by such data were necessary. She mentioned her experience with non-academic surveys in her school district, suggesting non-compliance with existing regulations.
HB532: Ann Marie Banfield, Parental Rights Advocate Support02:05:51.840 - 10:19:37 AM; Amry Banfield supported the bill, emphasizing the ethical concerns of conducting surveys in schools. She mentioned a physician's testimony about the ethical process and argued that making the survey opt-in would address these concerns. Banfield shared stories from parents about the negative impacts of survey-related programs in schools, such as bullying videos and the DARE program, which were perceived to encourage harmful behaviors. She questioned the efficacy of these programs and suggested that the bill would help ensure more ethical survey practices.
HB532: Bern Siden, Director of Student and Staff Wellness, Contoocook School District Oppose02:08:17.480 - 10:22:03 AM; Bern Siden from the Contoocook School District opposed the bill, emphasizing the importance of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey in understanding and addressing student challenges. He argued that the survey helps schools stay ahead of trends and issues like depression, suicide, and drug use, which are critical for creating safer school environments. Siden pointed out that students are exposed to similar information online and suggested that making the survey opt-in would hinder the ability to gather necessary data to support youth and families effectively.
HB446: Senator Abbas Information Only02:10:35.679 - 10:24:21 AM; Senator Abbas raised a concern about the potential decrease in student participation in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) if the policy requiring an opt-in approach is adopted. He questioned whether the survey itself might be the issue, suggesting that schools might not be equipped to handle the logistics of collecting and tracking numerous parent surveys. He highlighted the potential reduction in student voice due to restrictive policies, emphasizing the importance of understanding student belonging and its link to positive outcomes.
HB446: Bern Siden, Director of Student and Staff Wellness, Contoocook School District Oppose02:08:17.480 - 10:22:03 AM; Bern Siden continued his testimony, emphasizing the importance of the YRBS in gathering student voice and its link to positive outcomes. He argued that restrictive policies could reduce student participation and hinder schools' ability to understand and address student needs. He highlighted the burden of collecting numerous parent surveys and suggested that an opt-in approach could severely limit the survey's effectiveness.
HB446: Sam Hawkins, Public Policy Assistant, NAMI New Hampshire Oppose02:15:01.119 - 10:28:47 AM; Sam Hawkins testified in opposition to HB446, emphasizing the importance of the YRBS as a tool for policymakers and state agencies. He argued that an opt-in approach would make it challenging to achieve statistically valid results. Hawkins also pushed back against the notion that asking youth about mental health or suicide contributes to poor mental health, suggesting that open conversations can reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behavior.
HB446: Emma Savini, Children's Behavioral Health Policy Coordinator, New Futures Oppose02:18:24.718 - 10:32:10 AM; Emma Savini testified in strong opposition to HB446, arguing that it would weaken New Hampshire's youth prevention and treatment systems by limiting access to crucial data. She emphasized the importance of maintaining the current opt-out provision for the YRBS, highlighting its role in ensuring student voice and maximizing participation rates. Savini also noted the potential loss of funding for youth safety and wellness programs if the survey's effectiveness is compromised.
HB446: Dennis Calut, Director, Connected Families New Hampshire, Cheshire County Support02:22:50.680 - 10:36:36 AM; Dennis Calut testified in support of the YRBS, emphasizing its role in providing youth perspective and guiding investments in children's care. He highlighted the survey's importance in understanding where investments are paying off and where further action is needed. Calut stressed the value of the YRBS in ensuring that care for children is family-driven, youth-guided, community-based, culturally and linguistically competent, and trauma-informed.
HB446: Trisha Brandon, Goffstown, New Hampshire Oppose02:25:07.920 - 10:38:53 AM; Trisha Brandon testified in opposition to HB446, emphasizing the importance of the YRBS in providing critical data on risk factors facing youth. She argued that the survey's data is essential for prevention, mental health, and substance misuse work across the state. Brandon highlighted the potential negative impact of the bill on the health and well-being of New Hampshire youth and the nonprofits that rely on this data for funding.
HB446: Alcohol Services, Bureau of Oppose02:26:58.560 - 10:40:44 AM; The speaker from the Bureau of Alcohol Services discussed the 'Getting to Why' program, funded by the bureau, which helps students use Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data to effect positive changes in their schools and communities. They highlighted the importance of YRBS data for funding and the potential negative impact of HB446 on youth programs and services in New Hampshire, urging opposition to the bill.
HB446: Devon Quinn, New Hampshire Women's Foundation Oppose02:28:28.319 - 10:42:14 AM; Devon Quinn from the New Hampshire Women's Foundation emphasized the importance of YRBS data for organizations serving women and girls. She noted the low percentage of philanthropic dollars allocated to these groups and stressed the necessity of the data to demonstrate the impact of their programs on community issues, particularly mental health disparities among girls.
HB446: Betsy Harrington, Deering Oppose02:29:29.359 - 10:43:15 AM; Betsy Harrington, a resident of Deering and a former licensed social worker, expressed strong opposition to the YRBS due to the sensitive nature of the questions asked, which she found inappropriate for children. She highlighted her professional and personal concerns about the survey's content and its administration, suggesting it should be limited to adults or made opt-in.
HB446: Celeste Clark, Raymond Coalition for Youth Oppose02:32:45.040 - 10:46:31 AM; Celeste Clark, representing the Raymond Coalition for Youth, opposed HB446, emphasizing the importance of the YRBS data in identifying and addressing risky behaviors among youth. She highlighted the survey's role in empowering youth and providing necessary resources, including suicide prevention, and stressed the anonymity of the survey process.
HB446: Jenny O'Higgins, Department of Health and Human Services Oppose02:34:27.840 - 10:48:13 AM; Jenny O'Higgins from the Department of Health and Human Services opposed HB446, focusing on the potential impact of an opt-in requirement on the survey's participation rate and data validity. She detailed the importance of YRBS data for monitoring and funding various state initiatives, including mental health and substance use programs.
HB446: Jaw Chala, Bureau Chief of Public Health Statistics and Informatics Oppose02:36:53.439 - 10:50:39 AM; Jaw Chala, from the Division of Public Health Services, opposed HB446, discussing the current opt-out approach to the YRBS and the potential decrease in participation rates with an opt-in system. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a high response rate for data validity and its use in state-level decision-making.
HB446: Elizabeth Roshu Oppose02:43:20.800 - 10:57:06 AM; Elizabeth Roshu discussed the success of the 'Getting to Why' program, which utilizes YRBS data to help students drive change in their schools. She emphasized the validity and importance of the survey for students and their communities, opposing HB446 due to its potential negative impacts on such programs.
HB446: Unnamed Speaker Information Only02:44:15.600 - 10:58:01 AM; The speaker discussed the Getting to Y program and its impact on New Hampshire youth, emphasizing the importance of the YBS (Youth Behavior Survey) data. They highlighted that the results of the survey are not just numbers but represent the voices of the youth. They quoted a student, Luke Legacy from Plymouth Regional High School, who praised the program for its purposefulness and its role in driving positive change through data.
HB446: Unnamed Senator Information Only02:45:20.720 - 10:59:06 AM; The senator inquired about the possibility of school districts developing their own internal surveys to address issues like violence and bullying. The response clarified that the YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey) can be amended at both state and SAU (School Administrative Unit) levels, and Vermont's Department of Education works with the creators of the Getting to Y program to tailor questions.
HB446: Unnamed Speaker Information Only02:46:18.080 - 11:00:04 AM; The speaker further explained that middle school YBS is not mandatory and is school choice. They mentioned that the questions are age-appropriate and the data is analyzed through a private source. They clarified that schools can tailor the CDC survey to their needs, potentially removing or adding questions in collaboration with their state's Department of Health and Human Services.
HB446: Representative Henry Gisen, Hillsboro 29th district, Goffstown, New Hampshire Oppose02:47:37.560 - 11:01:23 AM; Representative Gisen strongly supported an opt-in requirement for surveys, emphasizing the importance of parental consent. He argued that schools should focus on education rather than fundraising or serving as tools for non-government organizations. He shared his military experience to illustrate the potential harm of asking sensitive questions without knowing a student's background, suggesting that such surveys could trigger trauma.
HB676: Representative Glenn Cordelli, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, and Ossipee Support02:50:32.439 - 11:04:18 AM; Representative Cordelli introduced House Bill 676, which addresses confusion in the current statute related to committee membership and quorum requirements. The bill also mandates quarterly meetings for the provider advisory committee and expands their duties to include application processes and expense approvals. Additionally, the bill proposes adding two surveys to the EFA (Education Freedom Account) program, similar to those used in the tax credit scholarship program since 2012, to gather data on why parents seek different educational options and assess the progress of students.
HB676: Caitlyn Davis, Department of Education Information Only02:53:45.200 - 11:07:31 AM; Caitlyn Davis from the Department of Education provided feedback on House Bill 676. She noted that the department cannot survey parents due to the lack of parent contact information in their data warehouses. She suggested that the survey requirement should be administered by the scholarship organization, such as the Children's Scholarship Fund. Davis also mentioned that the department lacks the tools to collect such data from parents and would need to invest in new tools if required.
HB676: Representative Glenn Cordelli Support02:55:43.439 - 11:09:29 AM; Representative Cordelli mentioned his prior discussion with Caitlyn Davis about the survey issue and expressed willingness to work on an amendment to address the department's concerns.
HB763: Representative Kristen Noble, Hillsboro District 2, Bedford Support02:56:56.359 - 11:10:42 AM; Representative Noble introduced House Bill 763, describing it as a simple bill that removes the word 'non-sectarian' from a cross-reference in the RSA (Revised Statutes Annotated) to align with changes made in 2021. The bill does not change anything else.
HB763: Mary Wilkey, Concord Oppose02:58:43.760 - 11:12:29 AM; Mary Wilkey opposed House Bill 763, expressing concerns about its implications. She highlighted the constitutional separation of church and state and argued that allowing public schools to contract with religious schools could circumvent their obligation to accept all students, including those with disabilities. She provided examples of religious schools that discriminate and warned that such contracts could divert public funds to religious teaching, which she argued is not permissible under current laws.
HB763: Representative Prian Oppose03:03:35.120 - 11:17:21 AM; Representative Prian opposed the bill, citing the state constitution's prohibition on using public funds for sectarian schools. He argued that the bill is unconstitutional without a constitutional amendment and urged a 'no' vote.
HB763: Representative Glenn Cordelli, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, Ossipee Support03:04:32.720 - 11:18:18 AM; Representative Cordelli defended House Bill 763 as a cleanup bill, clarifying a missing area of the statute. He addressed the religious aspect by citing recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that support religious schools' involvement in education. He argued that religious schools are transparent about their capabilities and direct students to other services if they cannot meet their needs.
HB763: Senator Sullivan Information Only03:05:54.240 - 11:19:40 AM; Senator Sullivan noted the historical context of public education, mentioning that early public schools were religious and Christian, and referenced historical conflicts like the Bible riot in Philadelphia over which version of the Bible should be used in schools.
HB763: Aubrey Freriedman, Bridgewater Support03:08:24.560 - 11:22:10 AM; Aubrey Freriedman supported House Bill 763, citing the Espinosa decision and arguing that religious schools offer higher academic standards. He believed that increasing educational options, including religious schools, is beneficial.
HB763: Caitlyn Davis, Department of Education Information Only03:09:16.840 - 11:23:02 AM; Caitlyn Davis suggested a cleanup in terminology for House Bill 763, recommending the use of 'non-public' instead of 'private' schools to align with New Hampshire's state board of education's practices.

Ward, Ruth(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Sullivan, Victoria(V Chairman)(R)	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2024
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2024	Abbas, Daryl(R)[C+]2024