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HB 1795 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Criminal checks for teacher license renewal

AI-generated

requiring criminal history record checks for the renewal of teaching licenses.

Requires individuals seeking renewal of a teaching credential to submit a criminal history release form to the department of education, including a check for neglect, as a condition of renewal.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires individuals seeking renewal of a teaching credential submit a criminal history release form to the department of education as a condition of renewing their credential. The bill also adds neglect to the criminal history record check.

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

““Educator” means an individual currently holding a New Hampshire state board of education issued credential including teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, school nurses, instructional specialists, and educational specialists.”
Section 76:1
“All educators shall submit a criminal history release form to the department of education as a condition of renewing their credential every 3 years at least 60 days prior to their credential expiration date.”
Section 76:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kristin NobleRPrimeChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Lisa FreemanRAssistant Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR

Public testimony

13 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

23% support77% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I HB 1795 because it shifts the focus from supporting and retaining quality teachers to adding procedural requirements that may make staffing schools even harder. Oppose HB 1795.”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes
“More unnecessary and performative politics. This requirement is already a part of the renewal of credentials for teachers.”
— Jennifer legier, Camptonopposes
“I oppose this bill because it reduces transparency or public accountability 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 Pass15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration4:54–7:192m 25slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 24, 2026Public hearingSenate Education2:19:40–2:20:581m 18slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 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 Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 36
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  4. Feb 18, 2026House: Ought to Pass 02/18/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 9 P. 12
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 13
  6. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 6
  7. Mar 24, 2026SenHearing: 03/24/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:15 am; SC 11
  8. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13
  9. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  10. May 7, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  11. May 7, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 39
  12. May 18, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/18/2026; Chapter 76; eff. 07/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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