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SB 531 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

Cosmetology program study and school meal debt

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a task force to study the feasibility of the creation of cosmetology related programming in Coos County and requiring the reporting of student meal debt by school districts and public chartered schools to the department of education.

Establishes a task force to study cosmetology programming feasibility in Coos County, extends career and technical education qualification to certain university and community college programming, and requires schools to report student meal debt to the department of education.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a task force to report on the feasibility of creating a cosmetology program within the Berlin Regional Career & Technical Center and New Hampshire community college system.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David WattersDPrime
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Rep. Patricia CornellDRanking Member· Education Policy

Also: Rep. Lori KorzenR

Public testimony

19 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

32% support68% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Reporting student meal debt and cosmetology are unrelated. Vote No. Do better.”
— Elizabeth Bachir, Londonderryopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-209:15 amSenate EducationSL Map RoomPublic hearing
  • 2026-03-3110:00 amHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-04-071:30 pmHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-04-2810:00 amHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-04-2810:30 amHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearingcancelled
  • 2026-04-2811:15 amHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1
  2. Jan 13, 2026Sen==CANCELLED== Hearing: 01/13/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:30 am; SC 45
  3. Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:45 am; SC 46
  4. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  5. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 5 P. 124
  7. Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 11:00 am GP 232
  8. Apr 7, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 04/07/2026 01:30 pm GP 232
  9. Apr 28, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/28/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  10. Apr 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-1569h: 04/28/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  11. Apr 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/28/2026 11:15 am GP 232
  12. Apr 28, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1704h (NT) 04/28/2026 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 18 P. 11
  13. May 6, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1762h (NT)
  14. May 7, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1704h: AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 16
  15. May 7, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1762h: AF DV 152-188 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 16
  16. May 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1704h: MA DV 185-156 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 16
  17. May 14, 2026SenSen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  18. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  20. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 261
  21. Jun 30, 2027SenI. Section 3 Effective 06/30/2027
  22. Jul 2, 2026SenII. Remainder Effective 07/02/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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