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HB 361 · 2025 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Banning school mask mandates

AI-generated

prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools.

Prohibits school boards and public education agencies from requiring students or the public to wear facial coverings on school property, with exceptions for protective equipment and individualized education or accommodation plans.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits school boards and other public education agencies from adopting, enforcing, or implementing a policy that requires students or members of the public to wear a facial covering.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“In this section, “facial covering” means any item worn on the face which covers a student’s mouth, nose, or both.”
RSA 189:10-a
“This provision shall not prohibit any public school board or governing person or body of a school from requiring participating students to wear athletic gear intended to protect against concussive or similar sports-related physical damage, or to wear protective equipment while handling chemicals, fire, or other similar hazardous elements for scientific or similar educational purposes.”
RSA 189:10-a
“Further, this provision shall not prohibit policies that may require facial coverings as part of a student's individualized education program pursuant to RSA 186-C or accommodation plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq). 180:2 Effective Date.”
RSA 189:10-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kristin NobleRPrimeChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Rick LaddRChair· Education Funding
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRChair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Mike BelcherR, Rep. Bryan MorseR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Rep. Aidan AnkarbergI, Rep. Yury PolozovR

Public testimony

828 signed in online · 234 wrote testimony

52% support48% oppose0% neutral

ForMasking should be a parental/individual choice, not mandated

AgainstMasks are an effective public health tool

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill should have passed a long time ago! Let's get our new governor to do the right thing.”
— Julie Smith, Nashuasupports
“Support for NH House Bill 361: Protecting Parental Choice and Student Well-Being New Hampshire House Bill 361 is a crucial step in safeguarding parental rights and ensuring that families—not government mandates—make health decisions for their children.…”
— Sayra DeVito, Danvillesupports
“Thank you, my name is Maureen Hardy, from Londonderry--- Testifying in favor of this bill.…”
— Maureen Hardy, Londonderrysupports
“Did we not learn anything from covid? This is an absurd bill. Masks protect others from the infected. It is not an infringing on your rights. If someone doesn't like it keep their kid at home.”
— Katrina Taylor, Rochesteropposes
“If there is another illness that is easily spread through respiration and the health organizations feel that face coverings would prevent the spread of illness and save lives schools should have the ability to follow this guidance.…”
— Amber Connary Larareo, KEENEopposes
“Having recently come out of a pandemic, how can you prohibit a school from enforcing a mask wearing policy when faced with pandemic and endemic levels of illness?…”
— Erin Soltys, Spoffordopposes

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 5, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass9–8
    Overall
    53% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted203–164How they voted
    Overall
    55% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    200–299% yea
    Democrats
    3–1622% yea
  • May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–1
    Overall
    75% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–1
    Overall
    75% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateRoll callOught to PassAdopted16–7How they voted
    Overall
    70% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–70% yea
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration4:57:20–5:00:162m 56slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration1:00:49–1:08:487m 59slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateHouse floor15:16–18:573m 41slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 203-164
  • Apr 29, 2025Public hearingSenate Education1:42:20–1:47:365m 16slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floor6:50:29–6:51:551m 26slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, roll call 16-7; Special Order to — adopted
  • 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

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 2 P. 16
  2. Feb 19, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/19/2025 01:45 pm LOB 205-207
  3. Mar 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/05/2025 09:30 am LOB 205-207
  4. Mar 5, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/05/2025 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 17 P. 50
  5. Mar 10, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 203-164 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 6
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 10
  8. Apr 29, 2025SenHearing: 04/29/2025, Room 101, LOB, 10:00 am; SC 19
  9. May 15, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025; Vote 3-1; CC; SC 21
  10. May 15, 2025SenHB 361 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  11. Jun 5, 2025SenSpecial Order to 06/05/2025, Without Objection, MA; 05/15/2025 SJ 13
  12. Jun 5, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 06/05/2025, Vote 3-1; SC 24
  13. Jun 5, 2025SenOught to Pass: RC 16Y-7N, MA; OT3rdg; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  14. Jun 5, 2025SenWithout Objection, the Clerk is authorized to make technical and administrative corrections which are necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate, MA; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  15. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  16. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  17. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 180; eff.09/13/2025 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.