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HB 1829 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Persistently dangerous schools definition

AI-generated

modifying the definition of persistently dangerous schools.

Adds incidents of physical harm and persistently poor academic performance as qualifying factors for designating a school as persistently dangerous.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill adds incidents of physical harm and persistently poor academic performance as qualifying acts that can make a school persistently dangerous.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Melissa LitchfieldRPrime
  • Rep. Lisa FreemanRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Rep. Brian NadeauR, Rep. Laurence MinerR, Rep. Paul TerryR

Public testimony

34 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

6% support94% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The public should be made aware that the schools in their towns/districts are in trouble, but I think allowing children to transfer out if a district is in trouble will not help with the trouble. Especially if the trouble is due to physical violence.”
— Amber Kehoe, Northfieldsupports
“Student test scores on standardized tests do not fit within the definition of dangerous.”
— Debrah Howes, Bow · American Federation of Teachers - NHopposes
“All of the criteria used in this law are related to physical harm - including the first phrase in your addition.…”
— Karen Burnett-Kurie, Wolfeboroopposes
“HB 1829 expands New Hampshire’s statutory definition of a “persistently dangerous school” by adding incidents resulting in physical harm (including simple assault, reckless conduct, criminal threatening, and hazing) and persistently poor academic performance as qualifying criteria.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

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 9, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration1:27:17–1:28:551m 38slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 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. 38
  2. Feb 2, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/02/2026 10:40 am GP 232
  3. Feb 9, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/09/2026 10:40 am GP 232
  4. Feb 9, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/09/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 9 P. 12
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 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.