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HB 1778 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Banning personal identity ideology teaching

AI-generated

relative to prohibiting the use of personal identity ideology in public school instruction and policies.

Defines and prohibits teaching or policies based on "personal identity ideology" in public schools, requires districts to adopt implementing policies, and allows civil actions and educator discipline for violations.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits the teaching of personal identity ideology in schools. The bill also requires the state board of education to develop and implement policies related to the prohibition of teaching personal identity ideology.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“In this chapter "personal identity ideology" shall mean any approach or form of teaching that prioritizes personal identity characteristics over individual merit.”
RSA 193:40-a
“Approaches or forms of teaching prohibited by RSA 186:72 relative to diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI) shall be included in the definition of personal identity ideology.”
RSA 193:40-a
“Within this section, personal identity characteristics shall include one's race, color, biological sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or gender identity.”
RSA 193:40-a
“Each school district and chartered public school shall develop and implement a policy that:”
RSA 193:40-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Melissa LitchfieldRPrime
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Lisa FreemanRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Rich NalevankoR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. James ThibaultR

Public testimony

1,037 signed in online · 312 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

ForSchools should focus on academics, not ideological indoctrination

AgainstDenying identity ignores reality and harms inclusion

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As a former teacher, parent and grandparent, I support diversity in all of our schools.”
— William Daniel Gillard, Keenesupports
“As a former teacher, parent and grandparent, I value student diversity throughout all our schools.”
— Nancy Kelley-Gillard, Keenesupports
“I support this common sense bill to limit student gender identification to their birth sex--no amount of imagining a different one can change this! Stop confusing our students!!!”
— Sally Staude, Strathamsupports
“The Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities believes this bill would have a negative impact on New Hampshire's disability community.…”
— Chase Eagleson, Newmarket · Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilitiesopposes
“personal identity idealogy.... think about that You don't want anyone to feel ok about who they are - the child who is short, the child who is from MA, the child whose parents divorced, the child whose parent died, the child who likes to draw, etc Teachers make everyone feel welcome and seen as they should.”
— Eileen Sahagian, Durhamopposes
“Highly problematic bill within public education. If you want public education to exist, you have to continue to make sure you accommodate ALL students and where they are at and the identities in which they feel and align with.…”
— Richella Simard, Concordopposes

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 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration3:39:26–3:52:1412m 48slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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 Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 35
  2. Feb 2, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/02/2026 01:20 pm GP 232
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 01:20 pm GP 232
  4. Feb 4, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 7 P. 9
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 13

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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