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SB 575 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

School bullying study committee

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a committee to study the issue of school bullying and modifying both the exemption of teacher certification records from the right-to-know law and the assignment of superintendent services for school administrative units.

Establishes a committee to study school bullying, modifies the right-to-know exemption for teacher certification records to cover educators generally, and permits school boards to assign personnel to perform superintendent services.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Establishes a committee to study the issue of school bullying. II. Modifies the exemption of teacher certification records under RSA 91-A by replacing the term "teacher" with "educator". III. Modifies the assignment of personnel authorized to perform superintendent services for school administrative units by permitting assignment by the school board in addition to the superintendent.

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

“When used in this title, the term "superintendent" shall include the superintendent and any personnel assigned by the superintendent or school board to perform superintendent services under the authority in RSA 194-C:5. 269:8 Effective Date.”
RSA 194-C:4-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Donovan FentonDPrime
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader

Also: Sen. Debra AltschillerD, Rep. Nancy MurphyD

Public testimony

32 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

41% support56% oppose3% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill, if approved, will not benefit ALL students, only those with wealthy parents.”
— Annemarie Powers Algozzine, Hancockopposes
“This legislation is not needed at the state level. Bullying is and should be dealt with at the local level with school policy.”
— Cory Stone, DOVERopposes

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 5, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1853h (NT)18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-1853hadopted
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1853hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 21, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House Amendmentadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingSenate Education1:13:17–1:14:571m 40slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration1:06:56–1:08:411m 45slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration5:05:16–5:12:126m 56slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1853h (NT); Public Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-1708h; Public Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-1715h
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1853h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1853h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:05:16–1:06:301m 14slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 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, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1
  2. Feb 17, 2026SenHearing: 02/17/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:45 am; SC 6
  3. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 8 P. 114
  6. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 11:00 am GP 232
  7. May 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-1708h: 05/04/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  8. May 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-1715h: 05/04/2026 10:15 am GP 232
  9. May 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/04/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  10. May 4, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1853h (NT) 05/04/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 19 P. 12
  11. May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1853h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 16
  12. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1853h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 16
  13. May 21, 2026SenSen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  16. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 269; Effective 07/02/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

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

  • Taking the Mystery Out of Fund BalanceExplainer

    New Hampshire Municipal Association — Defines unassigned fund balance and explains how New Hampshire municipalities and districts account for year-end surpluses.AI-generated

  • Municipal Budgeting: Tackling the UnexpectedExplainer

    New Hampshire Municipal Association — Describes how reserves and fund balances function as a buffer against revenue shortfalls and emergency costs.AI-generated

  • HB 1610 (2026)NH context

    Citizens Count — A nonpartisan summary of the bill changing how New Hampshire school districts may retain year-end unassigned funds.AI-generated

  • ConVal School Board takes action against potential impact of HB 1610District flexibility

    Monadnock Ledger-Transcript — Reports on a New Hampshire district's concerns that tighter retention limits reduce budgeting flexibility.AI-generated

  • $16M back to voters from unassigned fund balanceTaxpayer return

    Eagle Tribune — Illustrates the case for returning accumulated surpluses to taxpayers rather than retaining them in district accounts.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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