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HB 446 · 2025 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Parental notice for school surveys

AI-generated

relative to parental notice for non-academic surveys in public schools.

Requires school districts to email parents copies of non-academic surveys at least 10 days before distribution and removes the automatic exception allowing the youth risk behavior survey without prior written parental consent.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · December 17, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✕Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“As a parent, I understand the concerns surrounding what type of material children are exposed to in school. With respect to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, parents already have the freedom to opt their child out of taking it.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 15, 2025 · excerpt
Governor's press releaseHouse Journal 19, p. 22

The House voted 181–170 on the override (Dec 17, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained. See the roll call.

Analysis

The bill requires school districts to email parents copies of non-academic surveys in public schools and removes the exception for the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, requiring parents to opt-in for their children to participate in this survey.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The policy shall require school districts to notify a parent or legal guardian of a non-academic survey or questionnaire and its purpose.”
Section 1
“The policy shall provide that no student shall be required to volunteer for or submit to a non-academic survey or questionnaire, as defined in this paragraph, without written consent of a parent or legal guardian unless the student is an adult or an emancipated minor.”
Section 1
“In this paragraph, "non-academic survey or questionnaire" means surveys, questionnaires, or other documents designed to elicit information about a student's social behavior, family life, religion, politics, sexual orientation, sexual activity, drug use, or any other information not related to a student's academics.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Melissa LitchfieldRPrime
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Also: Rep. Jeffrey TenczarR, Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR

Public testimony

473 signed in online · 139 wrote testimony

15% support85% oppose0% neutral

ForClose the YRBS exception to parental consent

AgainstYRBS data is critical to public health, funding, and policy

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“ALL survey data collected by government and non government agencies MUST ONLY be permitted by parental consent for minors”
— Christine Keefe, Gilmantonsupports
“In regards to approval of Bill HB446 I'm asking that you please strike the exception to parental consent for the CDC's youth risk behavior survey. Parents should have to consent to ALL non-academic survey's their children receive.”
— Bambi DeFilippis, Newportsupports
“Please amend by striking the exception to parental consent for the CDC's youth risk behavior survey. Thank you.”
— Christine Hodge, Goffstownsupports
“Community Partners of Strafford County, Inc. is the designated Community Mental Health Program in Catchment Region 9. The data that comes from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is invaluable in helping us better understand the challenges facing youth in our region.…”
— Christopher Kozak, Dover · Community Partners of Strafford County, Inc.opposes
“I am asking the committee to strike the exception to parental consent for the CDC's youth risk behavior survey. Thank you for listening. Brenda”
— Brenda Martineau, Keeneopposes
“I am asking that the committee strike the exception to parental consent for the CDC’s youth risk behavior assessment.”
— Colleen Ward-Scott, Nashuaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 17, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0042h10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0042hadopted
  • Mar 27, 2025HouseDivisionOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0042hAdopted202–166
    Overall
    55% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 22, 2025SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateRoll callInexpedient to LegislateFailed8–16How they voted
    Overall
    33% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    0–160% yea
    Democrats
    8–0100% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateRoll callSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-2157sFailed8–16How they voted
    Overall
    33% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    0–160% yea
    Democrats
    8–0100% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateRoll callOught to PassAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
  • Dec 17, 2025HouseRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsFailed181–170How they voted
    Overall
    52% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    181–796% yea
    Democrats
    0–1630% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration3:34:05–3:35:271m 22slocated in the stream transcript==RECESSED== Public Hearing
  • Mar 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration5:42:30–5:45:463m 16slocated in the stream transcript==CONTINUED== Public Hearing
  • Mar 17, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration44:23–1:02:0117m 38slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0042h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateHouse floor43:48–46:212m 33slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0042h — adopted, division 202-166; Amendment # 2025-0042h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 6, 2025Public hearingSenate Education2:15:11–2:28:3713m 26slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floor28:48–52:0023m 12slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Inexpedient to Legislate — failed, roll call 8-16; Sen. Abbas Moved Ought to Pass
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:28:00–1:29:161m 16slocated in the stream transcriptVeto Sustained — roll call 181-170

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 3 P. 10
  2. Jan 22, 2025House==RECESSED== Public Hearing: 01/22/2025 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
  3. Mar 12, 2025House==CONTINUED== Public Hearing: 03/12/2025 02:15 pm LOB 205-207
  4. Mar 17, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2025 09:30 am LOB 205-207
  5. Mar 17, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0042h 03/17/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 17 P. 51
  6. Mar 19, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Mar 27, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0042h: AA VV 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 11
  8. Mar 27, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0042h: MA DV 202-166 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 11
  9. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 10
  10. May 6, 2025SenHearing: 05/06/2025, Room 101, LOB, 10:45 am; SC 20
  11. May 22, 2025Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate, 05/22/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 22
  12. May 22, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, RC 8Y-16N, MF; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  13. May 22, 2025SenSen. Abbas Moved Ought to Pass; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  14. May 22, 2025SenSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-2157s, RC 8Y-16N, AF; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  15. May 22, 2025SenOught to Pass: RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  16. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  17. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 58
  18. Jul 15, 2025HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025 HJ 19 P. 22
  19. Dec 17, 2025HouseVeto Sustained 12/17/2025: RC 181-170 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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