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HB 1573 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Excused absences and school reassignment requests

AI-generated

(New Title) permitting excused absences for student participation in certain activities and mandating the state board of education to grant school reassignment requests for students demonstrating a manifest educational hardship

Permits excused absences for students participating in civic engagement or career and technical education activities, directs the state board of education to adopt related rules, and requires approval of certain school reassignment appeals.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Permits excused absences for students that are participating in civic engagement activities and career or technical education (CTE) activities so long as parental notice is provided to schools and other requirements are met. II. Directs the state board of education to develop rules, a list of recognized CTE organizations, and alternative academic credits relative to participation in civic or CTE activities. III. Mandates that the state board of education, on appeal, grant a parent's or guardian's request to re-assign their student to another public school, public academy, or an approved private school where such parent or guardian demonstrates the student has a manifest educational hardship. IV. Adds a statutory cross-reference to the exceptions for legal residence requirements relative to school attendance.

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

“Students in public or public charter primary or secondary schools who wish to attend civic events during the school day shall have their school absences excused.”
RSA 193:1-d
“Schools shall be required to excuse 2 of a student’s school day absences per academic year for civic or CTE events.”
RSA 193:1-d
“This paragraph shall not preclude schools from excusing further absences at their own discretion.”
RSA 193:1-d
“Participation in activities related to statutory or executive New Hampshire youth advisory councils, either as a member or a guest, shall supersede this paragraph and shall always be excused.”
RSA 193:1-d

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. James ThibaultRPrime
  • Rep. Margaret DryeRClerk· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Lisa FreemanRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Samuel FarringtonR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR, Rep. Jonah WheelerD

Public testimony

11 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

27% support73% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“My name is Ruth Nelson, and I have been a secondary educator in New Hampshire for 40 years. At the beginning of my tenure, high school students were often absent from classes due to field trips and family planned outings.…”
— Ruth Nelson, Tiltonsupports
“Local school districts are capable of establishing attendance policies. We do not need a state-wide mandate.”
— Sue Holstein, Bedfordopposes
“While promoting civic engagement and vocational readiness is undoubtedly valuable, House Bill 1573 may unintentionally perpetuate inequities and fail to address the diverse needs of our student population.…”
— georgina lambert, BELMONTopposes
“Testimony Opposing HB 1573 My name is Curtis Hamilton. I serve as a member of the Contoocook Valley School Board, but I am testifying today on behalf of myself.…”
— Curtis Hamilton, Greenfieldopposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 12, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration42:34–57:5115m 17slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:40:10–4:42:132m 3slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0396h — adopted, division 200-149; Amendment # 2026-0396h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingSenate Education1:31:08–1:45:4514m 37slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:52:14–2:19:0526m 51slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1729s; Sen. Prentiss Moved to divide the Question on Ought to Pass with Amendments with the first vote on Sections 3; 4; and the Effective Date and the second vote on the Remainder of the bill and the Effective Date; Ought to Pass with Amendment on Sections 3; 4; and the Effective Date — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:02:10–1:11:449m 34slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1244s and 2026-1729s (Rep. Noble) — adopted, division 186-160
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2166e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2166e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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. 26
  2. Jan 12, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/12/2026 10:15 am GP 232
  3. Jan 12, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/12/2026 10:15 am GP 232
  4. Jan 29, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0396h 01/29/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 9 P. 37
  5. Feb 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0396h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 85
  7. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0396h: MA DV 200-149 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 85
  8. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 6
  9. Apr 7, 2026SenHearing: 04/07/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:45 am; SC 13
  10. Apr 7, 2026SenHearing: 04/07/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:55 am, on proposed non-germane amendment # 2026-1244s; SC 13
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1729s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1729s, RC 14Y-8N, AA; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 7, 2026SenSen. Prentiss Moved to divide the Question on Ought to Pass with Amendments with the first vote on Sections 3; 4; and the Effective Date and the second vote on the Remainder of the bill and the Effective Date; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  14. May 7, 2026SenThe Chair ruled the Question Divisible; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  15. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment on Sections 3; 4; and the Effective Date; MA; VV, 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  16. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with the Amendment on the Remainder of the Bill and the Effective Date; MA; VV; OT3rdg, 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  17. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1244s and 2026-1729s (Rep. Noble): MA DV 186-160 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 7
  18. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2166e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  19. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2166e: AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  20. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  21. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  22. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 307; eff. I. Secs 1.2.5.6 eff prov sec 7 II. Rem eff 7/10/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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