SB 434 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

School material complaint procedures

relative to regulation of public school materials.

Requires local school boards to adopt and publish policies and procedures for parents to submit and appeal complaints about school materials alleged to be obscene, harmful to minors, or age-inappropriate.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · August 19, 2026

✓Introduced
✓Senate
✓House
✕Governor
Law

Governor's veto message

“This bill is similar to the bill I vetoed last year. As a parent, I understand and appreciate the concerns parents have about their children being exposed to age-inappropriate or objectionable materials in schools. At the same time, existing New Hampshire law already requires school districts to adopt a policy allowing an exception to specific course material based on a parent's determination that the material is objectionable. See RSA 186:11:IX-c. Parents must be notified at least two weeks in advance of course materials that involve human sexuality, sexual education, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression. If a parent objects in writing, New Hampshire law further requires an alternative agreed upon between the school district and the parent.”

— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 2, 2026 · excerpt

Governor's press release

The Senate voted 16–8 on the override (Aug 19, 2026); the House voted 165–140 on the override (Aug 19, 2026) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained. See the roll calls.

A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.

Analysis

This bill requires local school boards to adopt and display a policy to be used to address complaints submitted by parents or guardians alleging that material presented in school is obscene and harmful to minors.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.

“This act shall be known as the "Right To Challenge Act".”

Section 1

The bill's short title frames its purpose as empowering parents to challenge school materials.AI-generated

“Predominantly appeals to the prurient interest of minors in sex, that is, an interest in lewdness or lascivious thoughts;”

RSA 189:74-a, I(b)(1)

This is the first prong of the three-part definition of material "harmful to minors" that districts must apply to complaints.AI-generated

“each local school board shall adopt a policy to be used to address complaints submitted by parents or guardians alleging that material that is presented or made available is obscene and harmful to minors.”

RSA 189:74-a, II

The bill mandates that every local school board adopt and post a complaint policy for allegedly obscene or harmful materials.AI-generated

“All decisions of the superintendent or designee and the school board, and any communications relating thereto, shall be considered public records pursuant to RSA 91-A.”

RSA 189:74-b, II

The bill makes complaint decisions and related communications public records subject to New Hampshire's right-to-know law.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Public testimony

752 signed in online · 162 wrote testimony

2% support98% oppose0% neutral

AgainstGovernment censorship violating free speech

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Please vote NO on SB 434. It's yet another overly broad, eminently veto-able attempted book ban in NH. It's problematic because: It contains vague definitions that could apply to any number of valuable and legitimate books.…”

— Jack Cheevers, East Hampsteadopposes

“School districts already have policies for curriculum selection, a policy to challenge a book, and a policy that allows a parent to request alternate materials for their child.…”

— Karin Cevasco, Milfordopposes

“This bill opens the door for any public school material to be challenged. Educators have strong understanding of child development. They will use their professional training and knowledge to deem what should be in their schools and classrooms. We can trust them.…”

— Gayle Hoisington, Merrimackopposes

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

Feb 19, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0643s3–1
Overall
75% yea
Feb 19, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0643sadopted
Feb 19, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Altschiller Floor Amendment # 2026-0826sfailed
Feb 19, 2026SenateRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0643sAdopted16–8How they voted
Overall
67% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
16–0100% yea
Democrats
0–80% yea
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
May 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1815h10–8
Overall
56% yea
May 14, 2026HouseDivisionAmendment 2026-1815hFailed8–336
Overall
2% yea
May 14, 2026HouseDivisionFloor amendment 2026-1937h (Rep. Noble)Adopted191–157
Overall
55% yea
May 14, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1937hAdopted188–161How they voted
Overall
54% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
188–498% yea
Democrats
0–1570% yea
Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
May 21, 2026SenateRoll callSen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House AmendmentAdopted14–8How they voted
Overall
64% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
14–0100% yea
Democrats
0–80% yea
Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
Aug 19, 2026SenateRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsAdopted16–8How they voted
Overall
67% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
16–0100% yea
Democrats
0–80% yea
Aug 19, 2026HouseRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsFailed165–140How they voted
Overall
54% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
165–597% yea
Democrats
0–1350% yea

Hearings and debates

Feb 3, 2026Public hearingSenate Education2:37–42:3239m 55s
Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:34:32–1:55:3421m 2s
Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration4:31:35–6:32:202h 45s
May 4, 2026Executive sessionHouse Education Policy and Administration4:49:03–5:02:1813m 15sTimestamp located by Whisper transcription (this session video has no YouTube captions).
May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:25:23–3:47:2522m 2s
May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floor42:01–55:4913m 48s
Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
Aug 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floor34:39–42:498m 10slocated in the stream transcriptNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall SB 434 Become Law — roll call 16-8
Aug 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:54:57–4:59:044m 7slocated in the stream transcriptVeto Sustained — roll call 165-140

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

Legislative history

Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1
Feb 3, 2026SenHearing: 02/03/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:15 am; SC 3
Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0643s, 02/19/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 6
Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0643s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb 19, 2026SenSen. Altschiller Floor Amendment # 2026-0826s, AF, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0643s, RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 5 P. 124
Apr 8, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/08/2026 11:30 am GP 232
May 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 05/04/2026 10:30 am GP 232
May 4, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1815h 05/04/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 19 P. 20
May 6, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1815h: AF DV 8-336 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 45
May 14, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1937h (Rep. Noble): AA DV 191-157 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 45
May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1937h: MA RC 188-161 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 46
May 21, 2026SenSen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, RC 14Y-8N, MA; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
Jul 2, 2026SenVetoed by Governor 07/02/2026
Aug 19, 2026SenNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall SB 434 Become Law: RC 16Y-8N, Veto Overridden by necessary two-thirds vote; 08/19/2026; SJ 15
Aug 19, 2026HouseVeto Sustained 08/19/2026: RC 165-140 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16

Coverage

NH Senate Passes 'Book Ban' and Parent Notification BillsInDepthNH · Feb 20, 2026
The article covers Senate passage of SB 434, which would require school boards to adopt policies and procedures for parents to submit and appeal complaints about school materials.AI-generated
Readers Gather at State House Against Censoring Literature, Media in NH SchoolsInDepthNH · Jun 11, 2026
Opponents rallied against SB 434, arguing its complaint process for materials 'harmful to minors' amounts to book censorship in public schools.AI-generated
Opinion: Another year, another school censorship billConcord Monitor · Feb 28, 2026
This opinion piece criticizes SB 434's process for parents to complain about and appeal decisions on school materials as a censorship measure.AI-generated
Ayotte vetoes nine bills, including book ban push and toll increases for out-of-state visitorsNHPR · Jul 3, 2026
The roundup reports Ayotte's veto of the school material complaint bill, warning the state should not judge the 'literary value and appropriateness' of school materials.AI-generated

Background reading

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

Challenges, Policies, and Reconsideration in School LibrariesExplainer
Wyoming State Library — Outlines how a formal reconsideration policy and review committee handle a request to remove or restrict school library material.AI-generated
'Parents' Bill of Rights' Underscores Furor Over Curriculum and Transparency in SchoolsExplainer
Education Week — Reviews the national push for curriculum-transparency and parental-review laws and the debates surrounding them.AI-generated
Republicans Stand for Transparency and Accountability in CurriculaSupporters
NH House Republican Caucus — New Hampshire legislative sponsors argue that material-review procedures give parents a formal say over classroom and library content.AI-generated
Fight CensorshipCritics
American Library Association — The library association's free-expression case against removing books and materials from school collections.AI-generated
Bills on teacher disclosure, school book removals heading to Ayotte's deskNH context
New Hampshire Bulletin — Reports on SB 434 and related measures as they moved through the New Hampshire Legislature.AI-generated
BOOK BAN ALERT: Bill headed to Gov. Ayotte would create avenues to remove books from schoolsCritics — NH
ACLU of New Hampshire — A New Hampshire civil-liberties group's objections to the review-and-removal process SB 434 would establish.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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