[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6650424,"mediaKeyId","2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06","parentId",2508161,"title","Long hearing on HB 324: parents, librarians, advocates split over limiting 'harmful' school materials","audioSeconds",1589,"startMs",19297000,"endMs",20886000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06&start=19297&end=20886","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06/thumbnail_19297000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650424/New-Hampshire/Long-hearing-on-HB-324-parents-librarians-advocates-split-over-limiting-harmful-school-materials","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650424-f25e03a8e6dfb94dab225b02cab50d59/orig.mp4?Expires=1777776183&Signature=gWVLyIUHBmfYyDGWQjwuG4wa5xJhDTUxNpi8eS3aMEyrLXLNIgA7hkz5jlqvZPcZu~8RQOukF5sU~BU4vgw4VW9Qf9M5qN8K-vWsqWXjs3ktQP5x-xml~MvWScWQH0c5LSwD~ZFHtcZlPb0vhbj6z39yqM7R4R30J3oGShsSYezVEv8DSLMQqXtcQHGS2OpZqnoCYI89OuPywPe3RD4uM02-XIGNDNU-l9F5jnarPA-bucKa7AV-Q8xMjj-BQVpGUtdmi5XEQMa~oNn4WVCQvN3MMQ6nWQ8ZtOWYsUt5A4lhaEBC8TCmEoD4dPeVsqa8Rl-K06Mw3T8RCb~uv1KR6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-03-05T21:41:51.607Z","article","The House Education Committee held a lengthy public hearing on House Bill 324, legislation that would remove the current exemption for K–12 public schools from certain obscenity statutes and establish a multi-step complaint and appeal process for materials deemed \"harmful to minors\" in school libraries and classrooms.

Sponsor Representative Glenn Cordelli said the bill is intended to provide parents a clear, staged process for raising concerns: a complaint to the principal, an appeal first to the superintendent and school board, and then a state‑level appeal to the State Board of Education. The bill also includes a civil-enforcement provision allowing damages and reasonable attorney fees where a final decision is not adhered to or when materials are improperly made available to minors.

Public testimony reflected a wide split: parents and parental-rights advocates described specific instances of sexually explicit images or descriptions in school material and urged a mechanism to remove age-inappropriate material. Several speakers, including parents and former school and library trustees, told the committee they had found books or digital materials they considered sexually explicit and unsuitable for minors.

Librarians, educators and free-speech advocates urged caution. Katherine Gatcomb, a librarian and parent with a master's in library and information science, asked the committee to vote ITL (inexpedient to legislate). She said school librarians follow collection-development policies, rely on professional reviews and use selection criteria to ensure materials are developmentally appropriate. \"Books should be a mirror to your own experience,\" she said, adding that school libraries are often a lifeline for vulnerable students.

The ACLU's legal director, Joel Bissett, told the committee that New Hampshire already has a statute (RSA 571‑B) that addresses dissemination of harmful material to minors and cautioned that HB 324 may exceed constitutional standards by imposing state-level prohibitions and a state board remedy rather than relying on local standards. \"If you're going to have a standard that applies in the K–12 context, it needs to be fully consistent with the obscenity standard,\" he said.

Other witnesses included authors and representatives from advocacy groups on both sides. Some testified that graphic novels and other titles used in schools carry literary value for older students but are inappropriate in elementary settings; others warned that vague standards can result in censorship and remove valuable resources for LGBTQ+ students and others who rely on affirming literature.

Committee members asked detailed questions about application to charter schools and private schools, the standard used to define \"harmful to minors,\" and whether a statewide standard or local standards should govern. The committee did not take a final vote at the hearing; members indicated they would consider draft revisions and sought clarifications about overlap with existing law.

The committee hearing ran for multiple hours and included dozens of public witnesses; the record shows a broad split among parents, educators, librarians and civil-rights advocates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education Policy and Administration (03/05/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The committee conducted an extended hearing on HB 324, a bill that would change criminal‑statute exemptions and create a complaint-and-appeal process for material deemed harmful to minors in K–12 school libraries. Testimony from parents, librarians, civil‑liberties groups and authors highlighted sharply divided views.","taxTitle","Education, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17745,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650429,"Committee hears legal and public testimony on non-germane amendment to HB 50 on \"divisive concepts\" law",1844,12377000,14221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06&start=12377&end=14221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06/thumbnail_12377000.jpg","/articles/6650429/New-Hampshire/Committee-hears-legal-and-public-testimony-on-non-germane-amendment-to-HB-50-on-divisive-concepts-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650429-2f6a549c78d3fed36b463eb109ade0b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1777776183&Signature=Oy0Nuf78k7tYqRCmn2fRtUC2Yy3zqYVPo4G8jyxOZMWAR-wd5TPcd9TD7sElgE-gfZr12Pdpy4My5hFk4U8~o~qB1u9Fs6jkmt4fWk75lvEqNNLkU1Vn44tzzjIbHWfHlNvm~ZY0Ma0fGHt5jWzrlqiXm1o18IQ6oR8fX2a-4L5fjkB4n5gaYZBefCj~pW8nnK7NQMJHTugq2YGniN~Uvyh2kKJZtQuONfHCoxYP5facmViirY68rkigTDgUoM~awaS2~97x8G-0~bdv-RZH9KY7KRxeW~parkLkPpzNAyVqJVpM5cmzzL4edfzulqneRWzzlUGmInz0oHc2kWK9ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee opened a public hearing on a non-germane amendment (2025059h) to HB 50 that would revise the state's statute related to certain instructional concepts by adding a scienter requirement — requiring that a violation be \"intentional or knowing.\" The amendment is framed by its sponsor as an effort to address vagueness identified by a federal district court ruling in litigation challenging the existing statute.

Representative Cordelli, the amendment sponsor, said the language is intended to include a mental-state element so that a person would have to \"knowingly or intentionally\" act in a way that violates the statute before facing licensing or other penalties. \"The value of a scienter requirement is that it limits a law's scope to those who knowingly engage in a particular course of conduct,\" he told the committee.

The committee heard legal analysis from Sam Garland, senior assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice, who described the litigation history. Garland said the federal judge who enjoined the statute relied in part on three factors in finding unconstitutional vagueness: unclear prohibited conduct, the presence of penalties that can affect licensure, and the lack of a mens rea or scienter requirement. Garland said the amendment \"directly addresses 1 of the concerns\" the judge identified but that his office could not predict whether the amendment alone would end litigation, which is currently pending at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Several witnesses expressed concern that amending the statute would not cure all constitutional defects. Representative Murray, a co-sponsor of the repeal bill (HB 50), said the underlying law had been found unconstitutional and warned that amendments could invite further litigation. Shannon McGinley, executive director of Cornerstone Action, said the amendment would not be sufficient to restore the law without additional legal review; she offered to share her group's outside attorneys' views.

The committee also heard public testimony that ranged from legal counsel with the Department of Justice providing technical context to civil-liberties advocates who urged rejecting the non-germane amendment and the underlying law. The department's civil-litigation chief described the appeal process and said oral argument in the First Circuit was scheduled for April 8; the outcome there will inform whether and how the state proceeds.

No committee vote was recorded on the amendment during the hearing; the matter was discussed and witnesses were asked to provide additional materials to staff as the committee considers possible paths forward.","The Education Committee held a public hearing on a non-germane amendment to HB 50 that would add an \"intentional or knowing\" scienter requirement to the existing statute addressing certain instructional concepts. The committee heard legal views from the Department of Justice and Department of Education and testimony from advocates on both sides.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650433,"Panel narrowly recommends ban on mandatory school mask policies; health agency letter cited",428,3692000,4120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06&start=3692&end=4120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06/thumbnail_3692000.jpg","/articles/6650433/New-Hampshire/Panel-narrowly-recommends-ban-on-mandatory-school-mask-policies-health-agency-letter-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650433-86cb3a43ec15b58e2159636123e479e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1777776183&Signature=GHcsRRH7XMBEPne6kpX~YCVxqm~quGj8u0EmMuFrifSbYXFE-rNZyRkvLl1kD5wdlHKNUn72Hrz0NOP4nCJknJ7hlNQmDvllJZD-zsehw5M2SM2Btjoum9jqG8Ki6NPzgSabEv4EWgDI2o5SbsoNXF4Qn4ebiW3WuDjiGwLTosPSk3m482foyj3q0x5uTQvfjJuyXLIMbSbVc74~SfhesfjCRk52XqZUsuNcR2PQrgHluXisqrU7d6~IWM2sidEr4RQFLijv3JwHcNG-B1XB-gn~cX3geyWncfxWKHFbXOA9vA5iu0GFrHqkaKGI2khnfZKLwf8MN0PTdLYUlmXWtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee voted 9–8 to recommend House Bill 361, which would prohibit school districts from imposing mandatory mask policies for all students. Committee supporters argued that statewide clarity would prevent uneven district-by-district approaches and protect families from recurring disputes; opponents said local boards should retain authority to respond to differing local public-health conditions.

\"This bill doesn't prevent masking in schools. Anyone is free to do so. They just can't be mandated for everyone,\" Representative Noble said during discussion. He also read a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services into the record: \"Face mask remain an effective tool for protecting a person and preventing the spread of many infectious respiratory diseases,\" the letter said, and urged decisions be based on individual risk and current circulating pathogens rather than universal mandates.

Opponents emphasized local control and data-driven responses. Representative Damon, a retired health care professional, said local conditions can vary and noted testimony from the New Hampshire Nurses Association opposing the bill. Representative Hall said she would vote no on ITL because she believes school boards can and should consider IEPs and other individualized needs.

After roughly an hour of floor debate and public-health testimony, the committee recorded a 9-8 roll call in favor of recommending the bill. The close vote reflected a split among members about whether statewide direction is needed for a policy space historically managed by local boards.

The committee will send its report and roll-call recommendation to the House calendar for further consideration.","After extended debate, the Education Committee recommended HB 361 (prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools) by a 9–8 vote. Supporters cited concerns about repeated local fights and asked for a uniform rule; opponents argued local boards should retain authority guided by public health data.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650438,"Committee backs stronger school cell-phone policies, with limits and exemptions",741,2484000,3225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06&start=2484&end=3225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06/thumbnail_2484000.jpg","/articles/6650438/New-Hampshire/Committee-backs-stronger-school-cell-phone-policies-with-limits-and-exemptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650438-fe64a70bcde0f258f2764b449a46aa04/orig.mp4?Expires=1777776183&Signature=KwEBbHDToGPIRyWylGqBWYEoXRadMwdFfIrByVICgFT8VNVzalDMyYsuMZLeGXXLGo0CorRaqC-Ef-RMiJcd7FbyIbw4Oe8F3Ck4eyZf8z-yMWN-NWLCclyeS07GDM1qKnrzX14z6Q4JvUP1FXBVyj8pHK1miVfFHcH6UlqBDGbUiNVeF0AY~rqlDbUBkSqpRt8q~tBmREFHbmKGxsfwwaUP-lpvKXr4djE6v4waxJNSz5knvrHU~lXhgfFegUuhr5qCYbphtxozP1YGlDhwaMZXl3xaO2yMVI9O68SnkhUQ0hzWRWf4NWb5CDEr9kmxYfMppASiiawOCRS3X2Ovmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee voted 16-1 to recommend House Bill 781, a bill directing school districts to adopt policies restricting the use of student personal cell phones during classroom instruction and allowing local boards discretion outside class time.

The bill, as amended by subcommittee language (amendment 0733h), requires that district policies \"at a minimum\" restrict use of student personal cell phones during class instruction and permits districts to include additional restrictions at other times of the school day. The amendment also adds chartered public school boards to the list of bodies required to adopt such policies and clarifies that other personal electronic communication devices may be covered.

Representative Litchfield, a prime mover of the committee motion, told members the subcommittee had tried to strike a balance between statewide guidance and local control. \"The policy shall, at a minimum, restrict the use of student personal cell phones during class instruction,\" she said during discussion. The amendment also includes explicit exceptions that the superintendent or designee may approve for students with medical disabilities or language-proficiency needs; the amendment references section 504 to protect students who require devices to support learning.

Some committee members raised concerns about state direction versus local control. Representative Hall said she was \"concerned that we are telling schools what the policy will be\" and cautioned against being prescriptive about matters often handled locally. Other members argued the statute's minimum requirement was intentionally narrow and left local boards discretion on issues such as use during lunch or on athletic fields.

The committee adopted the amendment by roll call (16-1) and then recommended HB 781 Ought to Pass as Amended by the same margin.

Implementation notes captured during the hearing include a subcommittee-chosen effective date of July 1, 2025, so policies would be in place for the next school year. Committee staff will prepare the report for the House calendar.","The House Education Committee voted to recommend HB 781 as amended, directing districts to adopt cell-phone restrictions at minimum during class instruction and to include exceptions for medical needs and language support.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650444,"Education committee: key votes on school mask, cellphone and related bills",275,2179000,2454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06&start=2179&end=2454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2508161-f0f22d81ea6173b68ca8ed470fed9e06/thumbnail_2179000.jpg","/articles/6650444/New-Hampshire/Education-committee-key-votes-on-school-mask-cellphone-and-related-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650444-9c47255fdce54c4185ec02d7e0b02e3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1777776183&Signature=AWwPB4XIIo66Uz03X0utNiRH7bKbyELS28a0I4xriLby1NLpojiHEb7tW-J-cC9xaA5QNBTKAuLz6D5ALWb6xMYmxMGXxDSKL~5pNYWegcgyhDkG2Hp2pnqZLBWVVA0p--NMUevniPO9t-n4J3-4tig2u6JYnBk-xBCcv2eyhGsdWmCGy30xQp0eLXRWVZnDB-TkqvGrGQA3oAcO4JXiOXhehaBJKWkdrJp46tTQS12Eu60gH1GTRQCbHCdTjzmitRLwkdl20dh5Wkfvsi8j95HMVXVLvPwma93BjVfqUuQslBoWeVaYDnBKai769ZrUaD0aGYn8MnOaCb7CEm1DqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee took recorded action on multiple bills during its session, voting on amendments and final recommendations that the full House will consider.

A summary of formal actions the committee recorded: HB 763 (AEDs at athletic venues) — amendment 0743h adopted, motion carried 17-0; HB 781 (school cell phone policies) — committee adopted amendment 0733h and recommended ought-to-pass-as-amended, 16-1; HB 131 (companion to HB 781) — retained for further work, 17-0; HB 398 (Holocaust and genocide studies: disabilities language) — voted ITL (inexpedient to legislate), 17-0; HB 361 (prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools) — recommended ought to pass on the bill, 9-8; HB 286 (study on single superintendent per county) — recommended ITL, 17-0; HB 709 (allowing parents/guardians to enroll children in a district where they pay taxes) — retained, 9-8. Several other bills and amendments were held for later meetings.

Votes recorded in committee are advisory recommendations to the full House. The committee also directed members to prepare reports for the calendar and noted several bills were held to allow additional review and subcommittee work.

The committee generally front-loaded votes on \"early\" bills to allow staff to prepare reports for the House calendar.

Votes listed above are taken from roll-call entries recorded during the committee session.","The House Education Committee took recorded votes on a series of bills affecting school masking, cell phone policies, library materials and other education issues. Several measures passed or were retained; several were held for later consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Long hearing on HB 324: parents, librarians, advocates split over limiting 'harmful' school materials

Committee hears legal and public testimony on non-germane amendment to HB 50 on "divisive concepts" law

Panel narrowly recommends ban on mandatory school mask policies; health agency letter cited

Committee backs stronger school cell-phone policies, with limits and exemptions

Education committee: key votes on school mask, cellphone and related bills