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Debate over repeal of Home Education Advisory Council centers on oversight and dysfunction

Senate Education Committee · April 15, 2026

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Summary

The Senate Education Committee heard dueling testimony on HB 1155, which would dissolve the Home Education Advisory Council (HEAC). Supporters called the council obsolete and dysfunctional; current members urged reform, saying HEAC provides due-process and policy input for home educators.

The Senate Education Committee heard competing views on House Bill 1155, a measure that would repeal the Home Education Advisory Council (HEAC) and remove the council’s role in receiving notice of proposed homeschooling rule changes.

Proponent testimony: Representative Katie Peternel, an appointee to HEAC, told the committee she backed repeal because the council has become "very adversarial," consumes staff time and taxpayer resources, and fails to operate functionally; she said meetings have required Department of Education staff attendance to maintain order and that council minutes and the annual report were delayed by months.

Opposition testimony: Diane Nolan, a sitting HEAC member and board member of Catholics United for Home Education, told senators the council is the only state-level support mechanism for RSA 193‑A home educators, helps surface trends and local issues, and provides a route to resolve disputes; she urged the committee to vote ITL (inexpedient to legislate) on HB 1155 to preserve the council’s role in rulemaking input. Heather Barker, NHSAA student services director and former HEAC member, said the council historically worked productively with the Department of Education and recommended reconsideration or reform rather than dissolution.

Committee questions focused on process and statutory effects. Senators asked whether rulemaking itself would be repealed; Representative Peternel clarified the bill removes the council and the requirement that the Board submit proposed rule changes to HEAC, but does not repeal the Department’s rulemaking authority. Senators also probed whether impacted parents could instead contact the Department of Education or legislators directly.

Next steps: The hearing record shows extensive testimony on both sides and follow-up requests for information; no final committee action on HB 1155 is recorded in the public testimony segments. The committee closed public comment and moved on to other bills, indicating further committee consideration or floor debate may follow.