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HB 1051 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

School bus driver background checks

AI-generated

(New Title) modifying the procedures and requirements for school bus driver criminal history records checks and expanding the personnel subject to such checks.

Modifies procedures for school bus driver criminal history record checks by extending them to volunteers and contractors, requiring fingerprinting, and directing the department of education to implement a secure records system.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill modifies the procedures for school bus driver criminal history records checks by extending its application to volunteers and contractors and specifying requirements for such record checks, including fingerprinting. The bill also directs the department of education to implement a secure system for such record checks and authorizes the department to make rules relative to the rights of personnel in criminal history record checks.

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

“The department of education shall complete a criminal history records check on all school bus drivers, school transportation vehicle drivers, school bus monitors, designated volunteers, and contracted service providers, as would school administrative units, school districts, and chartered public schools pursuant to RSA 189:13-a.”
RSA 189:13-b
“The department shall establish and implement a secure system for conducting a check of all personnel listed in this section in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) database by utilizing the applicant's social security number.”
RSA 189:13-b
“School bus drivers, school transportation vehicle drivers, school bus monitors, and contracted service providers shall submit with the release form a complete set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency or an authorized employee of the department of education.”
RSA 189:13-b
“In the event that the first set of fingerprints is invalid due to insufficient pattern, a second set of fingerprints shall be taken in order to complete the criminal history records check.”
RSA 189:13-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Erica LayonRPrimeChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Public testimony

39 signed in online · 18 wrote testimony

97% support3% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Although Medical Providers are finger printed before being allowed to obtain a license, and the State is making huge efforts to streamline licensing and reduce administrative burdens... licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists trying to cover school system are routinely and repetitively asked to submit fingerprints.…”
— Deirdre Daley, New Ipswichsupports
“I fully support HB1051 in creating a statewide fingerprinting and background check database for New Hampshire's educators. As a speech-language pathologist who serves multiple districts, I see the need for this type of legislation.…”
— Molly Warmbein, Concordsupports
“I am strongly in favor of passing a statewide system of fingerprinting and background checks.…”
— Sandra Gordon, Concordsupports
“I oppose this bill because it reduces transparency, access, or fairness in public processes and does not meaningfully improve outcomes for New Hampshire residents.”
— Tiffany Gladu, Goffstownopposes

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
  • Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0711h (NT)12–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0711hadopted
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0711hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 21, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety2:30:33–2:32:001m 27slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0711h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0711h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary1:08:12–1:17:199m 7slocated in the stream transcript==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 4
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 12:30 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 11, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/11/2026 09:30 am GP 159
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 12:30 pm GP 159
  5. Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0711h (NT) 02/18/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 9 P. 4
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0711h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 3
  7. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0711h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 3
  8. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 6
  9. Mar 31, 2026Sen==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 12
  10. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15
  11. Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  12. May 21, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/21/2026); SJ 14
  13. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
  14. Jun 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/02/2026; Chapter 116; eff.07/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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