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SB 431 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

Intent requirement for teaching discrimination

AI-generated

relative to violations of the prohibition on teaching discrimination.

Adds a requirement that a teacher act intentionally or knowingly for a violation of the state's prohibition on teaching discrimination in public schools to occur.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adds mental state, or mens rea, as an element to the prohibition on teaching discrimination.

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

“No pupil in any public school in this state shall be intentionally or knowingly taught, instructed, inculcated or compelled to express belief in, or support for, any one or more of the following:”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Timothy LangRPrimeMajority Whip
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRChair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

422 signed in online · 61 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

AgainstMens rea fix doesn't cure vagueness; law should be repealed, not patched

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The ban on teaching so-called divisive concepts is unconstitutional and has been overturned. This bill is not a fix for an unfixable law. The only cure is repeal.”
— Debrah Howes, Bow · American Federation of Teachers - NHopposes
“Greetings, I am speaking in opposition of SB431. This bill does not belong in New Hampshire. We need to let teachers teach and children learn. It is phenomenal to see all these nanny type bills banning this, that, and the other thing.…”
— Germano Martins, Hooksettopposes
“It's time to remember you're republicans. Live free or die. Your oppressive and tyrannical bills and tirade is beyond discouraging. What is your endgame, out of curiosity?”
— Shannon Hurd, Orfordopposes

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
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateRoll callOught to PassAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
  • May 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteLay SB431 on Table (Rep. Noble)adopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingSenate Education1:23:11–1:24:171m 6slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floor22:19–38:4616m 27slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, roll call 16-8
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration4:22:43–4:25:412m 58slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration4:25:29–4:26:341m 5slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:24:03–3:25:251m 22slocated in the stream transcriptLay SB431 on Table (Rep. Noble) — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1
  2. Feb 17, 2026SenHearing: 02/17/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 10:15 am; SC 6
  3. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/12/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 9
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass: RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  5. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 8 P. 114
  6. Apr 1, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 04/01/2026 10:20 am GP 232
  7. Apr 8, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/08/2026 11:00 am GP 232
  8. May 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/04/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  9. May 4, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 05/04/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 19 P. 20
  10. May 6, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  11. May 14, 2026HouseLay SB431 on Table (Rep. Noble): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 44

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Educational gag ordersFree expression

    PEN America — The national wave of teaching restrictions and how their enforcement provisions differ.AI-generated

  • Map of divisive concepts legislationFree speech

    FIRE — A civil-liberties tracker of what has been enacted and struck down.AI-generated

  • Local Government Center v. New HampshireLitigation — NH

    ACLU of New Hampshire — The New Hampshire challenge to the teaching-discrimination law and its vagueness holding.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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