Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 781 · 2025 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Cell phone-free school policies

AI-generated

(New Title) requiring school districts to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education.

Requires school districts to adopt policies governing student cell phone use to establish a cell phone-free education environment.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

“Thanks to the leadership of Representative Litchfield and others in the House and Senate, a bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools with stronger language was passed in House Bill 2.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 7, 2025 · excerpt
Governor's press releaseHouse Journal 19, p. 31

The House voted 28–322 on the override (Dec 17, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained.

Analysis

This bill requires school districts to adopt policies governing student cell phone use in schools and makes an appropriation therefore.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Melissa LitchfieldRPrime

Public testimony

147 signed in online · 46 wrote testimony

22% support77% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing as a parent in strong support of HB781, which requires school districts to adopt policies establishing a cell phone-free education. This bill is a necessary step toward fostering a more focused, engaging, and productive learning environment for our children.…”
— Tonja Neve, Strathamsupports
“Research continues to demonstrate the ill effects of near-constant cell phone use by minors (and, truthfully, most adults); see "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathon Haidt.…”
— Alex Campbell, Merrimacksupports
“I oppose this bill. Please vote no. I am a retired public art school teacher. I have students that excelled in the arts and struggled in main subjects. Many said it was the reason they came to school! Please don’t get rid of the arts.”
— Jacqueline Jacqueline, Hampsteadopposes
“Why would we want to take education away from our youth? Expand their education, don’t minimize it.”
— Alyssa Dupont, Berlinopposes
“I oppose this Bill. This is not the role of the State and the State should stay out of this and let local schools deal with this. Further.…”
— Gordon Springate, Wiltonopposes
“It really feels like there are more pressing things to spend time and resources on than this.”
— Marjorie Boyer, Merrimackneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-109:30 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationLOB 205-207Public hearing
  • 2025-03-0311:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationLOB 203Public hearing
  • 2025-03-059:30 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationLOB 205-207Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-03-1810:00 amHouse Finance - Division IILOB 209Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-03-211:00 pmHouse Finance - Division IILOB 209Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-0110:00 amHouse FinanceLOB 210-211Public hearing
  • 2025-04-229:15 amSenate EducationLOB 101Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 3 P. 27
  2. Feb 10, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/10/2025 10:15 am LOB 205-207
  3. Mar 3, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/03/2025 11:00 am LOB 203
  4. Mar 3, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 03/03/2025 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
  5. Mar 5, 2025House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/05/2025 09:30 am LOB 205-207
  6. Mar 5, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0733h (NT) 03/05/2025 (Vote 16-1; CC)
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0733h (NT): AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 12
  8. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0733h: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 12
  9. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 12
  10. Mar 18, 2025HouseDivision II Work Session: 03/18/2025 10:00 am LOB 209
  11. Mar 21, 2025HouseDivision II Work Session: 03/21/2025 01:00 pm LOB 209
  12. Apr 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/01/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  13. Apr 2, 2025House: Ought to Pass 04/02/2025 (Vote 25-0; CC) HC 19 P. 12
  14. Apr 10, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 5
  15. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 10
  16. Apr 22, 2025SenHearing: 04/22/2025, Room 101, LOB, 10:00 am; SC 18
  17. May 15, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 21
  18. May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  19. Jun 12, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/12/2025); SJ 17
  20. Jun 12, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 26
  21. Jul 7, 2025HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/07/2025 HJ 19 P. 31
  22. Dec 17, 2025HouseVeto Sustained 12/17/2025: RC 28-322 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.