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HB 1628 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Excused absences for religious classes

AI-generated

requiring schools to provide excused absences for certain religious instruction, defining released time courses, and permitting schools to adopt policies and provide credit for released time courses.

Requires schools to provide excused absences for certain religious instruction, defines released time courses, and permits schools to adopt policies granting credit for such courses.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires schools to provide excused absences for certain religious instruction, defining released time courses, and permitting schools to adopt policies and provide credit for released time courses.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Wayne MacDonaldRPrimeChair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Public testimony

24 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

4% support96% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The American Federation of Teachers – NH urges the committee to oppose HB 1628 because it would significantly erode the instructional time that public schools rely on to meet state mandated academic standards.…”
— Debrah Howes, Bow · American Federation of Teachers - NHopposes
“Local school districts are capable of establishing attendance policies. We do not need a state-wide mandate.”
— Sue Holstein, Bedfordopposes
“This is an attempt to further blur the lines between church and state which is disgusting. On top of another method to discriminate against atheists.”
— sammy Musameh, Manchesteropposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-1210:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 28
  2. Jan 12, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/12/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  3. Jan 12, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/12/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  4. Jan 29, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/29/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 6 P. 4
  5. Feb 12, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 3

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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