Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1173 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

College programs for state inmates

AI-generated

relative to post-secondary education opportunities for inmates.

Allows the commissioner of corrections to release a person committed to the state prison, at any point during their sentence, to participate in post-secondary education in the community for which they have been accepted.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 21, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows the commissioner of corrections to release any person who has been committed to the state prison at any time during their term of sentence to participate in post-secondary education in the community for which they have been accepted for enrollment.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Buzz ScherrDPrime
  • Rep. David MeuseDDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Public testimony

83 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Just like the US flag, the state flag, and the POW/MIA flag, the rainbow flag is a sign of unity and welcoming.”
— Johnna Davis, Gilfordsupports
“I am support to this bill because for the sake of NH voters.”
— Donna. Tully., Littletonsupports
“Incarceration is meant to rehabilitate and there should be no barriers for educations for those in ates who wish to better themselves.”
— INES MONTALVO, Gorhamsupports
“We train and hire educators please allow them to do their jobs This is ridiculous overkill oversight that is unnecessary - a blanket bill that furthers nothing in a child’s education”
— Lisa Ayer, Manchesteropposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2910:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-04-091:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 9
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  3. Jan 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/29/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  4. Jan 29, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 01/29/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 10 P. 10
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 15
  6. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  7. Apr 9, 2026SenHearing: 04/09/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 13
  8. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 04/23/2026; SC 15A
  9. Apr 23, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 04/23/2026; SJ 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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