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HB 324 · 2025 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Banning obscene material in schools

AI-generated

relative to prohibiting obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools.

Prohibits schools from providing material deemed obscene or harmful to minors, defines relevant terms, and creates a parent complaint and removal process along with a cause of action for violations.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

“I do not believe the State of New Hampshire needs to, nor should it, engage in the role of addressing questions of literary value and appropriateness. This bill envisions the possibility of extensive civil action over materials in our schools, which could open the door to unnecessary litigation from out-of-state groups. If the Legislature determines that RSA 186:11:IX-c is not being implemented or enforced adequately, the more suitable and narrow way to address these concerns would be to modify that statute. For the reasons stated above, I have vetoed House Bill 324.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 15, 2025 · excerpt
Governor's press releaseHouse Journal 19, p. 15

The House voted 183–167 on the override (Dec 17, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained.

Analysis

This bill prohibits material that is obscene or harmful to minors in schools and creates a procedure for removal and cause of action.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Glenn CordelliRPrime
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy
  • Rep. Keith AmmonRMajority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRChair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Paul TerryR, Rep. Kevin VervilleR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR

Public testimony

1,402 signed in online · 432 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

ForSexually explicit material has no place in schools

AgainstBill is unnecessary given existing opt-out and review policies

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Please vote YES and support this important Bill protecting innocent New Hampshire minors. Thank you.”
— Pam Brown, Kingstonsupports
“I wholeheartedly support HB-324 prohibiting obscene offensive inappropriate materials in our school system available to our children. Thank you, Representative Brian Nadeau Raymond NH.”
— Brian Nadeau, Raymondsupports
“I support HB324 relative to eliminating age inappropriate or obscene material from K-12 schools and the children’s section of public libraries. Early exposure to sexually explicit material is leading to an increase in unplanned pregnancy and abortions.…”
— Mary Murphy, Francestownsupports
“This bill is a slippery slope to censorship. These definitions are up to interpretation and do not take into account Art history or biology courses.…”
— Stephanie Moore, HUDSONopposes
“There are already laws in existence to protect minors from harmful materials. This bill is a backdoor for censorship.”
— Amy Gentile, Hollisopposes
“This could severely affect sex education in schools which is already lacking in our country.”
— Shannon Walden, Manchesteropposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-03-051:00 pmHouse Education Policy and AdministrationLOB 205-207Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-03-101:00 pmHouse Education Policy and AdministrationLOB 205-207Public hearing
  • 2025-04-109:15 amSenate EducationLOB 101Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 2 P. 15
  2. Mar 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/05/2025 02:45 pm LOB 205-207
  3. Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
  4. Mar 10, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/10/2025 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 17 P. 50
  5. Mar 14, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseFLAM # 2025-1361h (Rep. Gregg): AF DV 151-185 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 120
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseFLAM # 2025-1377h (Rep. N. Germana): AF DV 153-186 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 120
  8. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 183-148 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 120
  9. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 10
  10. Apr 10, 2025SenHearing: 04/10/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:30 am; SC 16
  11. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025; Vote 3-1; CC; SC 21
  12. May 15, 2025SenHB 324 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  13. May 15, 2025SenSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2025-2190s, RC 8Y-15N, AF; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  14. May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass: RC 15Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  15. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2728e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  16. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2728e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 56
  17. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  18. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  19. Jul 15, 2025HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025 HJ 19 P. 15
  20. Dec 17, 2025HouseVeto Sustained 12/17/2025: RC 183-167 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.