CACR 24 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee
Parental right to direct education
AI-generatedrelating to the right to educate children. Providing that parents and guardians have a right to direct the education of their children.
Proposes a state constitutional amendment establishing that parents and legal guardians have the right to direct the education of their children, to be placed before voters for approval at the November 2026 general election.AI-generated
Status
Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · March 11, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- On the ballot
Analysis
This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution amends the constitution to include a right for parents and legal guardians to direct the education of their children.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
- Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
- Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
Also: Rep. Calvin BeaulierR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. Lori KorzenR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR
Public testimony
341 signed in online · 72 wrote testimony
50% support50% oppose0% neutral
ForGeneral expressions of support without detailed reasoning
AgainstAbsolute language ignores minors' own rights
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“I support this CACR. I want to see PARENTS enshrined in constitutional law as the ultimate decision makers for education. NOT the bureaucracy. Citizen governance and responsibility. No more claremonts, no more volinsky's.”
“About 3 1/2 decades ago, I told my NH SAU School Board, "I just need you to remember that I still consider my children 100% mine and Zero percent yours." Then I pulled them out of public school and home schooled. I have never regretted the decision.…”
“Parents are the primary educators of their children, and they possess the natural right to direct their children's education. This isn't a new right being created—it's recognition that this right exists prior to and independent of government.”
“Parents already have the right to direct their child’s education by choosing to enroll in public school, private school, religious school, homeschool, or unschool. A Constitutional Amendment is not necessary for this purpose.”
“If parents wish to educate their children exactly how they wish, then they should educate them at home or in a private school that matches their values.…”
“NO NO NO. Parents alone should not be able to direct the education of their children. Not all parents are qualified to handle this responsibility. Children should have rights.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2026-02-2010:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
- 2026-03-029:30 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 41
- Feb 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/20/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
- Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 09:30 am GP 232
- Mar 2, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0941h 03/02/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 35
- Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0941h: AA DV 184-149 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 110
- Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0941h: MF RC 181-156 Lacking Necessary Three-Fifths Vote 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 112
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.