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CACR 24 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Parental right to direct education

AI-generated

relating to the right to educate children. Providing that parents and guardians have a right to direct the education of their children.

Proposes a state constitutional amendment establishing that parents and legal guardians have the right to direct the education of their children, to be placed before voters for approval at the November 2026 general election.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution amends the constitution to include a right for parents and legal guardians to direct the education of their children.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“All parents and legal guardians, being the primary educators of their children, have the right to direct the education of their children, and this right shall not be infringed.”
From the bill
“To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2026 session of the general court shall be approved.”
From the bill
“All parents and legal guardians, being the primary educators of their children, have the right to direct the education of their children, and this right shall not be infringed.” V.”
From the bill
“That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot.”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Michael GrangerRPrime
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture

Also: Rep. Calvin BeaulierR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. Lori KorzenR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

341 signed in online · 72 wrote testimony

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

ForGeneral expressions of support without detailed reasoning

AgainstAbsolute language ignores minors' own rights

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support this CACR. I want to see PARENTS enshrined in constitutional law as the ultimate decision makers for education. NOT the bureaucracy. Citizen governance and responsibility. No more claremonts, no more volinsky's.”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“About 3 1/2 decades ago, I told my NH SAU School Board, "I just need you to remember that I still consider my children 100% mine and Zero percent yours." Then I pulled them out of public school and home schooled. I have never regretted the decision.…”
— Debra Johnson, Granthamsupports
“Parents are the primary educators of their children, and they possess the natural right to direct their children's education. This isn't a new right being created—it's recognition that this right exists prior to and independent of government.”
— Susan LaPointe, Eppingsupports
“Parents already have the right to direct their child’s education by choosing to enroll in public school, private school, religious school, homeschool, or unschool. A Constitutional Amendment is not necessary for this purpose.”
— Karin Cevasco, Milfordopposes
“If parents wish to educate their children exactly how they wish, then they should educate them at home or in a private school that matches their values.…”
— Gayle Hoisington, Merrimackopposes
“NO NO NO. Parents alone should not be able to direct the education of their children. Not all parents are qualified to handle this responsibility. Children should have rights.…”
— Nancy Jerauld, Litchfieldopposes

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 2, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0941h10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionAmendment 2026-0941hAdopted184–149
    Overall
    55% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0941hFailed181–156How they voted
    Overall
    54% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    181–498% yea
    Democrats
    0–1520% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administrationfrom 3:50:03located in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration11:13–12:201m 7slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0941h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:54:44–4:55:491m 5slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0941h — failed, roll call 181-156; Amendment # 2026-0941h — adopted, division 184-149

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 41
  2. Feb 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/20/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
  3. Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 09:30 am GP 232
  4. Mar 2, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0941h 03/02/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 35
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0941h: AA DV 184-149 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 110
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0941h: MF RC 181-156 Lacking Necessary Three-Fifths Vote 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 112

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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