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HB 273 · 2025 · House · Judiciary Committee

Parental access to library records

AI-generated

relative to a parent's access to their minor child's library records.

Allows parents to access all of their minor child's library records.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · August 11, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill allows parents to access all of their minor child's library records.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike DragoRPrimeMajority Whip
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR, Rep. Riché ColcombeR

Public testimony

72 signed in online · 24 wrote testimony

29% support71% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Please amend to include the library’s app where children can download books, movies, and the like.…”
— Carol Petrusewicz, Rochestersupports
“Parents should always have unimpeded right to access their minor's records in possession of any government body.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“A parent should have knowledge of the books, movies, games, etc. that his or her child is checking-out.…”
— Clay Kriese, Concordsupports
“Hello, my name is Ryan O'Hora and I oppose this bill. HB 273 aims to give parents access to their minor child's library records but leaves no room for guidance on how staff, directors, managers, etc will provide this information.…”
— Ryan O'Hora, Hooksett · A Public Library/Myselfopposes
“Books are a basis for self-growth, for escape. They can cover topics such as self-help, gender identity, sexuality, and career choices. By opening up library records to one's family, books are censored. This strips a child of both the joys of reading and self- discovery.…”
— Taylor Barry, Nashuaopposes
“A child should have the right to research a subject (re: abuse, alcoholism, etc) without the parent knowing, especially if the parent is involved, for their own safety.”
— Julie Colby, COLEBROOKopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-01-2210:00 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearing
  • 2025-01-3010:00 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearing
  • 2025-04-249:30 amSenate Children and Family LawSH 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 2 P. 13
  2. Jan 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2025 03:30 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Jan 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/30/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Jan 30, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 01/30/2025 (Vote 9-8; RC)
  5. Feb 10, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 196-162 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 68
  7. Mar 20, 2025SenIntroduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 9
  8. Apr 24, 2025SenHearing: 04/24/2025, Room 103, SH, 10:20 am; SC 17
  9. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2048s, 05/15/2025; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 21A
  10. May 15, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2048s, AA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  11. May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2048s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  12. May 22, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2048s and Requests CofC (Rep. Osborne): MA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 53
  13. May 22, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Lynn, Alexander Jr., Peternel, M. Smith 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 53
  14. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  15. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Abbas, Sullivan, Long; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  16. Jun 16, 2025HouseConference Committee Meeting: 06/16/2025 02:00 pm LOB 206-208
  17. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2025-2780c; 06/26/2025
  18. Jun 24, 2025HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Berch, Scherr, C. Harvey, D. Fox, N. Germana, O'Rorke, Horrigan, Turer, Meuse, Manos) 06/24/2025 HJ 18 P. 17
  19. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report # 2025-2780c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  20. Jun 26, 2025HouseConference Committee Report 2025-2780c: Adopted, RC 201-165 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 23
  21. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  22. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 63
  23. Aug 1, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 08/01/2025; Chapter 273; eff.01/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.