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Supporters Tell Committee CACR 24 Would Enshrine Parents’ Right to Direct Education
Summary
At a separate hearing the committee took testimony on CACR 24, a proposed constitutional amendment to affirm parents’ right to direct their children’s education. Sponsors and advocates framed the amendment as a long‑term safeguard for parental authority and urged constitutional protection; opponents asked whether the change is necessary given existing case law.
The committee reconvened after a recess to hear CACR 24, a proposed amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution that would expressly recognize parents’ right to direct their children’s education. Representative Granger introduced the amendment as a long‑term protection that would guard against future regulatory encroachments.
Ralph Rodriguez (HSLDA) told the committee that the proposed text ‘‘does not create a new right’’ but places the existing right on a constitutional footing, citing U.S. Supreme Court precedents like Pierce v. Society of Sisters and Meyer v. Nebraska as jurisprudential background. Supporters at the hearing argued a constitutional amendment would elevate parental direction of education and provide durable protection across administrations.
Committee members pressed proponents on the necessity and drafting of the amendment. Some members asked whether court precedent already protects parental education rights, and whether a state constitutional text would materially change legal outcomes. Witnesses urged careful drafting and offered suggested textual edits to strengthen the amendment’s clarity and to avoid unintended consequences.
The committee closed the CACR 24 hearing after additional supportive testimony from advocacy groups and parents. No committee vote was taken on the amendment during this session; proponents said they would provide drafting suggestions to refine the language.
