NH 2008 Legislative Session

Bills of interest to Homeschoolers

last updated 5/16/08 at 9:00 AM


Notices

On Wednesday, May 14, the House voted 188-168 to adopt the Carson amendment to SB337. The Senate will vote on Wednesday, May 21 on whether to concur with the House version, reject the House version, or ask to create a Committee of Conference to negotiate a compromise.

You can find more information about SB337 here.

You can find out more about the legislative process here.

What's new at this site

List of LSR's that may affect home education

LSR's are the first public notice in the creation of a bill. The deadline for Senate members to sign off on the language that will appear when the bill is presented to the legislature (and to the public) was 1/17/07; for House members it was 1/19/07. As that language becomes available, this site will be updated to refer to the bills.

Bills that are in the legislature

Bills that have become law

Bills that did not pass the legislature

Bills that have been vetoed

Useful links

All the bills listed here address issues that have in the past affected homeschoolers in this state or in other states, or have the potential to affect homeschoolers here in NH.

  • Click on the issue for an analysis (where available).
  • Click on the bill number to see the current text of the bill
  • If I am tracking the bill closely, click on the text "Bill tracked".
  • Click on "Legislative History" to see more detail about actions taken on the bill.
  • Bills are color coded:
Red - impacts large number of homeschoolers
Fuschia - impacts a subgroup of homeschoolers
Aqua - of interest of homeschoolers
Yellow - scheduled legislative action

Obviously, one person alone cannot track all these bills. I would be indebted to anyone who passes along information, or who takes on the task of tracking particular bills. If you notice any errors or glaring omissions, please contact me.

Chris Hamilton
beaverlodgehs at charter.net
(603) 673-0189



Bills that are in the legislature

Issue Last updated
Bill number and title Analysis Summary of status
Home education law 1/7/08
SB337-FN- relative to home education of children.

Bill tracked 		This bill makes various changes to the notification requirements for parents involved in a home education program. The bill also includes home educated pupils in the calculation of the average daily membership in residence. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 - Senate Education Committee (SH103)
Compulsory attendance, dropout, expulsions 1/7/08
HB1161 - relative to the definition of truancy. This bill reduces the number of unexcused absences necessary to constitute truancy and changes the ages of children who are subject to the truancy statutes. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 - House Education Committee (LOB 207)
  • 1/15/08 - Hearing 10:00 AM
HB1489 - prohibiting the start of public school until after Labor Day. This bill provides that the school year shall commence after Labor Day. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 - House Education Committee (LOB 207)
SB415 - relative to the effective date of the compulsory school attendance law. This bill amends the effective date of HB 87 of the 2007 legislative session relative to compulsory school attendance by providing that on June 30, 2009, the age of compulsory school attendance shall be raised from 16 to 18 years of age. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 - Senate Education Committee (SH103)
Educational alternatives, charter schools 1/7/08
HB752-FN - relative to per pupil funding for charter school pupils. This bill specifies that, for each pupil, a charter school shall receive the greater of the inflation-adjusted tuition rate or the per pupil amount received for a public school pupil by the school district in the municipality in which the charter school pupil resides. Legislative history
  • 3/7/07 - House accepts House Education Committee report of OTP/AM on a voice vote
  • 11/9/07 - House Finance Committee votes 17-6 ITL
  • 1/16/08 - House vote scheduled, roll call
HB1164- relative to the counting of charter school pupils in the definition of average daily membership in residence. This bill requires that pupils electing to attend an approved charter school be included in the average daily membership in residence of the district in which they legally reside. The bill also excludes charter school pupils for whom the state pays tuition directly to the charter school from the definition of average daily membership in residence Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 - House Education Committee (LOB 207)
  • 1/15/08 – Hearing 11:00 AM
SB339-FN-A - relative to per pupil funding for charter school pupils. This bill requires that funding for a pupil enrolled in a charter or open enrollment school in another district shall be directed to the charter or open enrollment school. The bill also provides that a charter school may provide special education and related services, at-risk programs, and vocational, career, technical, and other alternative educational programs upon approval of its charter. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – Senate Education Committee (SH103)
SB340-FN-A-L - requiring a transportation stipend for charter school pupils. This bill provides an additional $400 per pupil for transportation costs for pupils attending a state-approved charter school. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – Senate Education Committee (SH103)
SB343-FN - authorizing charter schools to apply for and receive school building aid. This bill allows charter schools to apply for and receive school building aid pursuant to the provisions of the school building aid program. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – Senate Education Committee (SH103)
Access to public schools 1/1/08 No bills were introduced.
Vouchers, abatements, tax credits 1/1/08 No bills were introduced.
Special education 1/7/08
HB1166 - relative to rate setting for interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing. This bill provides that a qualified interpreter shall be reimbursed by the appointing authority at a fixed rate reflecting the most recent fee schedule approved by the department of education, bureau of vocational rehabilitation Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Education Committee (LOB 207)
  • 1/15/08 – Hearing 11:30 AM
HB1602-FN - relative to dependent health insurance coverage. This bill repeals the law relative to insurance coverage for those persons less than 26 years of age and replaces it with insurance coverage for persons less than 18 years of age. See “College access” for bill status
SB362 - relative to the responsibility for providing a free appropriate public education to students with disabilities. This bill provides that only a parent or legal guardian shall determine whether a child may attend a charter school.

This bill is a request of the department of education.		 Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – Senate Education Committee (SH103)
Driver's education, youth operators 1/7/08
HB211 - requiring that first-time driver's license applicants be informed of and examined on laws relating to blind pedestrians. This bill requires the department of safety to inform licensees of laws relating to blind pedestrians and to examine first-time driver’s license applicants on such laws.

This bill requires that first-time driver's license applicants be informed of and examined on laws relating to blind pedestrians. 		Legislative history
  • 11/5/07 – House Transportation Committee votes 13-0 OTP/AM
  • 1/2/08 – House votes OTP/AM on a voice vote
HB1162 - relative to supervised driving time by persons completing driver education. This bill increases the hours of supervised driving time required to complete driver education and adds a requirement that 10 of those hours be at night. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Transportation Committee (LOB 203)
  • 1/22/08 – Hearing 11:00 AM
HB1222 - prohibiting writing a text message while driving. This prohibits writing a text message and using 2 hands to type on or operate an electronic or telecommunications device while driving except under circumstances specified in the bill. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Transportation Committee (LOB 203)
  • 1/22/08 – Hearing 12:00 PM
HB1235 - relative to motorist duties when approaching highway emergencies. This bill requires drivers to give wide berth to emergency road service vehicles when approaching highway emergencies. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Transportation Committee (LOB 203)
  • 1/24/08 – Hearing 10:00 AM
HB1236- relative to motor vehicle laws. This bill makes a variety of changes in the motor vehicle laws. This bill was requested by the department of safety.

One provision allows for on-line renewal of driver’s licenses. 		Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Transportation Committee (LOB 203)
  • 1/24/08 – Hearing 10:30 AM
HB1496-FN - establishing motor vehicle learners’ permits and relative to youth operators’ licenses. This bill requires learners’ permits for persons learning to drive and modifies certain restrictions on youth operators. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Transportation Committee (LOB 203)
  • 1/17/08 – Hearing 10:00 AM
HB1497-FN - requiring proof of motor vehicle liability insurance prior to selling a motor vehicle to a person under 21 years of age. This bill requires proof of motor vehicle liability insurance prior to selling a motor vehicle to a person under 21 years of age. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Commerce Committee (LOB 302)
HB1596-FN-L - relative to fees charged by the motor vehicle division. This bill changes certain motor vehicle fees and permits the commissioner of safety to waive the fee for certified copies of registrations, licenses, and driving records under certain circumstances. The bill requires suspension of the driver’s license, driving privileges, plates, and motor vehicle registration for failure to register as a sex offender and establishes fees for restoration of such license or driving privileges and motor vehicle registration. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Ways and Means Committee (LOB 202)
SB429 - relative to driver education courses in other states. This bill eliminates the requirement that the commissioner of education determine that a driver education course in another state is equivalent to a New Hampshire course in order for persons taking the course to be issued New Hampshire licenses. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 –Senate Transportation Committee (LOB 101)
College access 1/7/08
HB502-FN-A-L - extending Medicaid coverage through age 20 to individuals who were foster children and are attending postsecondary school.

allowing foster families to receive subsidies for foster children attending postsecondary educational facilities and establishing a scholarship fund for foster children. 		This bill redefines which juveniles may be able to receive public medical assistance.

This bill also establishes a study committee to study the state of Washington program, and other state programs, that extend foster care and support services to certain juveniles and the feasibility of extending healthcare benefits for children over 21 years old and certain children over 17 years old.

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services to adopt rules authorizing continuing foster care and support services to youths in state-supervised foster care when they reach majority while they are enrolled in a postsecondary educational program. This bill also establishes a foster care scholarship endowment for foster children. 		Legislative history
  • 11/6/07 – House Children and Family Law Committee votes 18-0 OTP/AM
  • 1/2/08 – House votes OTP/AM on a voice vote
  • 1/2/08 - House Finance Committee (LOB 209)
  • 1/17/08 – Hearing 10:00 AM
HB1211 - relative to postsecondary career courses approved by the postsecondary education commission. This bill requires the postsecondary education commission to:
I. Review the curriculum of licensed postsecondary career schools to determine that the education and training offered is adequate to qualify a student for entry-level employment in the student’s chosen field; and
II. Submit a report on the employment status of graduates of licensed private postsecondary career schools. 		Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Education Committee (LOB 207)
  • 1/22/08 – Hearing 10:00 AM
HB1261 - establishing a commission to investigate a program in which senior year of high school may be spent at a community college. This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of allowing high school students to spend their senior year attending community college. See “School improvement” for bill status
HB1298 - making changes to the veterinary/medical/optometric education program. This bill adds dental education programs to the existing veterinary/medical/optometric education program, and provides that students who actively practice for at least 10 years in New Hampshire in the profession for which the student was educated shall be forgiven any remaining repayment obligation under the program. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Education Committee (LOB 207)
  • 1/22/08 – Hearing 1:00 PM
  • 1/29/08 – Executive session scheduled 11:30 AM
HB1602 - relative to dependent health insurance coverage. This bill repeals the law relative to insurance coverage for those persons less than 26 years of age and replaces it with insurance coverage for persons less than 18 years of age. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Commerce Committee (LOB 302)
Also mentioned under “Special education”
HB1616 - relative to financial aid for students losing aid due to registering to vote. This bill provides that a student attending a school within the university or community college systems of New Hampshire, who loses financial aid as a result of registering to vote in New Hampshire, may have the amount of such aid credited to their account upon furnishing satisfactory evidence of such loss to the financial aid office of the school he or she is attending. Legislative history
  • 1/2/07 – House Election Law Committee (LOB 308)
Child labor laws 1/1/08 No bills were introduced
Early childhood 1/1/08
HB1299 - establishing a commission to study the feasibility of creating a preschool incentive fund program. This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of creating a preschool incentive fund program. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 – House Education Committee (LOB 207)
SB365 - relative to testing for lead toxicity in children 4 years of age or younger. This bill requires all health care providers conducting annual medical assessments of children 4 years of age or younger to include testing for lead toxicity. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 - Senate Health and Human Services Committee (SH 103)
School improvement 1/7/08
HB330 - establishing a task force to study the feasibility of supplying laptop computers to all 7th grade children in the state. This bill establishes a task force to study the feasibility of supplying laptop computers to all 7th grade children in the state. Legislative history
  • 11/19/07 – House Education Committee votes 14-1 OTP/AM
  • 1/2/08 – House votes OTP/AM on a voice vote
HB1146    
HB1169   See “Parental rights” for bill status
HB1171    
     
HB1261 - establishing a commission to investigate a program in which senior year of high school may be spent at a community college. This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of allowing high school students to spend their senior year attending community college. Legislative history
  • 1/2/08 House Education Committee (LOB 207)
  • 1/22/08 – Hearing 11:30 AM
Also mentioned in “College access”
HB1281    
HB1282    
HB1285    
HB1328    
HB1330    
HB1336    
HB1390   See “Claremont” for bill status
HB1435    
HB1482    
HB1483    
HB1504    
SB359    
School funding 1/7/08
CACR14 - state aid to public schools cannot decrease unless the number of students decreases. This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution provides that total state aid to public education cannot decrease unless there is a decrease in the number of students attending the public school system. Legislative history
  • 11/19/07 – House Education Committee votes 11-3 ITL
  • 1/16/08 – House vote scheduled, roll call vote
HB352 - relative to trust funds for public school educational enhancement. This bill permits school districts to establish a trust fund to accept private funds to enhance public education. Legislative history
  • 11/19/07 – House Education Committee votes 16-1 OTP/AM
  • 1/16/08 – House vote scheduled, roll call vote
HB789-FN-A-L - providing supplemental education grants for certain school districts. This bill provides supplemental education grants to eligible school districts and makes an appropriation to the supplemental education grant fund. Legislative history
  • 11/19/07 – House Education Committee votes 13-0 ITL
  • 1/16/08 – House vote scheduled
HB888-FN-A - relative to instructional and operational costs of providing an adequate education. This bill provides that the state shall fund certain educational costs related to instruction including classroom teachers, classroom textbooks and materials, professional development, building aid, technical resources, and the state's share of special education costs. Legislative history
  • 11/19/07 – House Education Committee votes 13-0 ITL
  • 1/16/08 – House vote scheduled, consent calendar
Also mentioned under "Claremont"
HB1446    
HB1509    
HB1593    
Claremont 1/7/08 HB778-FN-A-L - relative to a preeminent scholastic educational foundation.
CACR2 - the supreme court shall determine the constitutionality of judicial acts and the legislature shall determine the constitutionality of legislative acts. This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution defines judicial and legislative acts as they are defined in the case of Merrill v. Sherburne 1 N.H. 199 (1818), and provides that the supreme court shall have final authority on the constitutionality of judicial acts and the general court shall have final authority on the constitutionality of legislative acts. Legislative history
  • House Judiciary Committee votes 15-5 ITL
  • 1/16/08 – House vote scheduled
CACR6 - Providing that: the state may meet its funding obligations under Article 83 by providing aid only to those communities that, in the reasonable judgment of the general court, are in need of such aid. This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution provides that the state may meet its funding obligations under Article 83 by providing aid only to those communities that, in the reasonable judgment of the legislature, are in need of such aid. Legislative history
  • 11/9/07 – House Finance Committee votes 14-9 ITL
  • 1/16/08 – House vote scheduled
CACR21    
CACR29    
This bill defines preeminent scholastic educational foundation. This bill also repeals the statewide enhanced education tax and the distribution of adequation education grants. Legislative history
  • 11/19/07 – Committee votes 13-0 ITL
  • 1/16/08 – House vote scheduled
HB888-FN-A - relative to instructional and operational costs of providing an adequate education. This bill provides that the state shall fund certain educational costs related to instruction including classroom teachers, classroom textbooks and materials, professional development, building aid, technical resources, and the state's share of special education costs. Tracked under "School funding"
HB1224    
HB1390   Also mentioned under “School improvement”
Teacher certification 1/1/08 No bills were introduced
Child Protection Act, DCYF, custody 1/1/08
HB1148    
HB1184   Also mentioned under “Parental rights”
HB1188    
HB1189    
HB1289    
HB1383    
HB1490    
Parental rights 1/7/08
CACR23    
HB304 - relative to the criteria under which guardianship over a minor is granted. This bill provides that the court shall not grant guardianship that results in a change of legal residence for purposes of school attendance unless the court finds that the parents are unfit to care for the child. Legislative history
  • 3/22/07 - House Children and Family Law Committee votes 17-0 OTP/AM
  • 3/27/07 - House votes OTP/AM
  • 5/29/07 - Senate Education Committee votes 5-0 to re-refer to committee
  • 5/31/07 - Senate votes to re-refer on a voice vote
  • 1/3/08 – Hearing 1:00 PM
  • 1/3/08 – Committee votes 4-0 ITL
  • 1/17/08 – Senate vote scheduled
HB463 - relative to the awarding parental rights and responsibilities to a stepparent or grandparent. This bill removes the reference to awarding parental rights and responsibilities to a stepparent or grandparent in a proceeding under RSA 461-A. Legislative history
  • 3/20/07 - House Children and Family Law Committee votes 16-0 OTP
  • 3/27/07 - House votes OTP on a voice vote
  • 5/29/07 - Senate Judiciary Committee votes 5-0 to re-refer
  • 5/31/07 - Senate votes to re-refer on an voice vote
  • 1/3/08 – Committee votes 5-0 ITL
  • 1/17/08 – Senate vote scheduled
HB584-FN - raising the age of minority for juvenile delinquency proceedings from 17 to 18 years of age. This bill changes the age of minority for the purpose of juvenile delinquency proceedings from 17 to 18. Legislative history
  • 11/6/07 – House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee votes 18-0 OTP/AM
  • 1/2/08 – House votes 248-93 OTP/AM
  • 1/2/08 – House Finance Committee (LOB 209)
  • 1/17/07 – Hearing 10:30 AM
HB1169   Also mentioned under “School improvement”
HB1184   See “DCYF” for bill status
HB1291    
HB1380    
HB1386    
HB1495    
HB1498    
HB1517    
SB302    
SB363    
SB389    
SB343    
SB444    
Citizens and government 1/1/08
CACR22    
HB1183    
HB1272    
HB1359    
HB1392    
HB1408    
HB1464    
HB1543    
Miscellaneous 1/7/08
HB373 - relative to unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor. This bill changes the prohibition on intoxication by a minor to a prohibition on consumption of any alcoholic beverage by a minor. This bill also directs the proceeds of sales of forfeited alcoholic beverages to the municipality in which the offense was committed. Legislative history
  • 11/2/07 – House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee votes 15-0 OTP/AM
  • 1/2/08 – House votes OTP/AM on a voice vote
HB432 - relative to age requirements for cocktail lounges This bill raises the minimum age at which a person may be in a cocktail lounge without a parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse from 18 to 21. Legislative history
  • 11/13/07 – House Commerce Committee votes 18-0 OTP/AM
  • 1/2/08 – House votes OTP/AM on a voice vote
  • 1/2/08 – House Ways and Means Committee (LOB 202)
HB537-FN-L - establishing a task force on homeless teenagers. This bill establishes a task force to study the issue of homeless teenagers. Legislative history
  • 11/6/07 – House Children and Family Law Committee votes 17-0 OTP/AM
  • 1/2/08 – House votes OTP/AM on a voice vote
HB901 - relative to requirements for non-driver identification cards. This bill specifies materials that the department of safety shall accept in order to issue a non-driver identification card. Legislative history
  • 10/23/07 – House Transportation Committee votes 13-0 OTP/AM
  • 1/2/08 – House votes OTP/AM on a voice vote
HB1133    
HB1239    
HB1371    
HB1422    
HB1481    
HB1553    
SB428    

Bills that have become law

Issue Last updated
Bill number and title Summary Status
Home education law 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
Compulsory attendance, dropouts, expulsions 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
Educational alternatives, charter schools 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
Access to public schools 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
Vouchers, abatements, tax credits 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
Special education 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
Driver's education 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
College access 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
Child labor laws 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
Early childhood 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
School improvement 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description
  • dates from docket
School funding 1/7/08
Bill# and title Description