HB 768 · 2025 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Contracting with private schools

(New Title) allowing public schools to contract with any approved nonpublic school.

Allows a school district without a public school at a given grade level to contract with any approved nonpublic school, including religious schools, to educate a resident student.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025

✓Introduced
✓House
✓Senate
✓Governor
✓Law

Analysis

This bill allows public schools to enter into contracts with any approved nonpublic school, including religious schools.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

851 signed in online · 225 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

ForExpands educational options for students

AgainstViolates separation of church and state

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Would this Bill allow schools to contract for AP classes if none exists in a students public school? I wrote about AP in my comments on HR2. Thank you”

— Gordon Springate, Wiltonsupports

“I urge you to SUPPORT HB768 as it is written. This bill will support public school students in furthering their education by allowing public schools to enter into contracts with any approved private school, including religious schools, to further those education goals.…”

— James Gardner, Keenesupports

“I have no objection to religious schools as long as the students are not required to participate in the religious activities”

— Virginia Irwin, New Londonsupports

“Council members are in opposition to this bill as they are concerned of the fact that for-profit private schools and religious schools are do not have to accomodate learners with disabilities as public schools are by the The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).”

— Chase Eagleson, Concord · NH Council on Developmental Disabilitiesopposes

“Public funds should absolutely not be spent to send a child to a private school including religious groups.…”

— sara carbonneau, epsomopposes

“This is the best way to dumb down our education system and not been able to compete globally!”

— Muriek Orcutt, Bowopposes

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 7, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8
Overall
56% yea
Mar 27, 2025HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted202–170
Overall
54% yea
May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2149s3–2
Overall
60% yea
May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-2149sadopted
May 15, 2025SenateRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2149sAdopted15–8How they voted
Overall
65% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
15–0100% yea
Democrats
0–80% yea
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
Jun 12, 2025HouseRoll callHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2149s (Rep. Cordelli)Adopted192–158How they voted
Overall
55% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
191–498% yea
Democrats
1–1541% yea
Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

Feb 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration4:30:32–4:31:0533slocated in the stream transcript==RECESSED== Public Hearing
Mar 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration3:45:58–4:05:3219m 34slocated in the stream transcript==CONTINUED== Public Hearing
Mar 17, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration42:40–43:491m 9slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
Mar 27, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:34:11–1:37:433m 32slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 202-170
May 6, 2025Public hearingSenate Educationfrom 3:03:22located in the stream transcriptHearing
May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:53:36–2:00:266m 50slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2149s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-2149s — adopted, roll call 15-8; Committee Amendment # 2025-2149s — adopted, voice vote
Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor55:28–1:01:035m 35slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2149s (Rep. Cordelli) — adopted, roll call 192-158
Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 3 P. 26
Feb 10, 2025House==RECESSED== Public Hearing: 02/10/2025 02:00 pm SH Reps Hall
Mar 12, 2025House==CONTINUED== Public Hearing: 03/12/2025 01:45 pm LOB 205-207
Mar 17, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2025 09:30 am LOB 205-207
Mar 7, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/07/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 17 P. 53
Mar 19, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
Mar 27, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 202-170 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 21
Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 10
May 6, 2025SenHearing: 05/06/2025, Room 101, LOB, 11:15 am; SC 20
May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2149s, 05/15/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 21A
May 15, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2149s, AA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2149s, RC 15Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2149s (Rep. Cordelli): MA RC 192-158 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 7
Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60
Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 17
Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 210; eff.07/15/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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