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HB 1635 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Suicide prevention training schedule change

AI-generated

modifying the requirements of suicide prevention education policies in schools.

Requires school districts to provide suicide awareness and prevention training to faculty and staff within 30 days of hire and every 2 years thereafter, removing the prior minimum-hours and annual requirements.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

The bill requires that suicide prevention training occur within 30 days of personnel being hired as well as every 2 years thereafter.

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

“Each school district and chartered public school shall [, within 9 months of the effective date of this chapter,] require all school faculty and staff, including contracted personnel, to receive [at least 2 hours of] training in suicide awareness and prevention [annually] within 30 days of being hired and every 2 years thereafter.”
Section 1
“Such training may include, but not be limited to, youth suicide risk factors, warning signs, protective factors, response procedures, referrals, post-intervention, and resources available within the school and community.”
Section 1
“The training may be accomplished within the framework of existing in-service training programs or offered as part of ongoing professional development activities.”
Section 1
“School districts and chartered public schools shall allow the use of self-training materials in fulfilling the annual training requirements of this paragraph and each school district and chartered public school may determine how to both administer the annual training requirements and ensure that such training requirements are met.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Melissa LitchfieldRPrime
  • Rep. Margaret DryeRClerk· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law

Public testimony

250 signed in online · 103 wrote testimony

5% support95% oppose0% neutral

AgainstSuicide-prevention training saves lives; weakening it is risky

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support the bill as originally written and oppose any changes made.”
— Anthony Henry, Derrysupports
“Testimony in Support of HB 1635 -- NH House Education Policy and Administration Committee My name is Mark Cochran, and I am writing in strong support of HB 1635 as written.…”
— Mark Cochran, Exetersupports
“Testimony in Support of HB 1635 NH House Education Policy and Administration Committee My name is Lisa Cochran, and I am writing in strong support of HB 1635 as written.…”
— Lisa Cochran, Exetersupports
“It is essential that school personnel receive this training to support the mental health of youth. It should just be left alone. That bill as is has most likely saved countless lives and took so much to get it passed!!!”
— Rebecca Sturmer, North Berwickopposes
“There is absolutely no reason to roll this back. Nonprofits are offering free training. This has saved lives.”
— carrie mcgonagle, Pelhamopposes
“I strongly oppose this!! We need this resource that will save lives!!”
— Jessie Dalton, Concordopposes

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
  • Jan 29, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted183–167How they voted
    Overall
    52% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    182–896% yea
    Democrats
    1–1591% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration37:28–48:5811m 30slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and AdministrationWatchnamed in a list of bills, not taken up — opens the full streamExecutive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:50:01–5:00:2210m 21slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 183-167
  • Mar 24, 2026Public hearingSenate Education2:00:51–2:01:591m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 29
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 10:20 am GP 232
  3. Jan 22, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/22/2026 10:00 am GP 232
  4. Jan 29, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 01/29/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 9 P. 38
  5. Feb 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 183-167 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 85
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 6
  8. Mar 24, 2026SenHearing: 03/24/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:55 am; SC 12
  9. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 04/16/2026; SC 14
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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