Homeschooling families may wish to monitor and participate in the legislative process on various issues and bills. There are many that may be of interest in 2022 on a range of topics. GSHE will only actively follow one regarding home education. Refer to the updated table below for our 2022 Legislation of Interest.
We have some suggestions for how to be effective when communicating with legislators that we developed based on over a dozen years of experience working with national and in-state organizations and advocates following hundreds of bills.
You can make a difference on the issues that matter most to you, but it requires engagement. It requires your participation. It requires effort. Surprisingly, it requires minimal time, more if you attend public hearings.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; it’s the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead
GET READY…
- Text for most bills is available online at the NH General Court website. The remaining few should be available soon.
- NH House and Senate convene on January 5 and 6, 2022 to address retained and vetoed bills.
- Public hearings could be scheduled as early as week of January 10 with very little notice.
GET SET…
- Follow closely on GSHE Action, our group specifically for following national and NH news and legislation topics.
- Be familiar with the resources on the GSHE website.
- Prepare testimony to either email or call committee members.
- Attend the public hearings – make it a civics field trip!
- Set up car pools.
- Arrange for babysitting.
- Follow the bill with your children – civics unit study!
GO!!!
- In-person testimony is most effective followed by calls then emails. All interactions should be brief and polite.
- Mention the bill by number and include it in the subject line of all correspondence.
- Make it clear if you support or oppose the bill, or are providing neutral commentary.
- Include your town so legislators know you’re a New Hampshire resident and constituent.
- Clearly state that you want your email/testimony included in the bill’s permanent record.
- Sharing your personal story and experiences on the particular issue is compelling. You do not have to cite research or be an “expert.”
- Print out copies – one per committee member plus the clerk – and distribute after you speak.
- Remarks should be 3 minutes or less.
- Practice your public testimony.
- Especially if you are giving public testimony, try not repeat what others have said, add something new. Coordinate talking points so each important issue is addressed.
- Sign in even if you don’t wish to speak – numbers matter.
It’s Up to You
- Don’t be passive, hoping someone else will write a brief email or show up at the hearings.
- This can benefit your children for years to come.
- We are standing on the shoulders of homeschoolers who demanded more educational freedom. Now it is your turn.
- If not you, who?
- If not now, when?
2022 Legislation of Interest, Updated
| Bill # | link | Prime Sponsor | Additional Sponsors | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 1051 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1197&type=4 | Linda Tanner | Sherry Frost, Stephen Woodcock, Jaci Grote, Sue Mullen | relative to the state board of education rules for credit for alternative, extended learning, and work-based programs |
| HB 1074 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1265&type=4 | Maureen Mooney | Sharon Carson, Kenneth Weyler, Jeanine Notter, Ruth Ward, Robert Healey | relative to notice to a chartered public school of a special education services meeting |
| HB 1113 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1927&type=4 | Marjorie Porter | Mel Myler, Stephen Woodcock, Arthur Ellison, Sue Mullen | prohibiting the department of education and the state board of education from directing or limiting school instructional options, such as remote learning |
| HB 1114 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1905&type=4 | Patricia Cornell | Marjorie Porter, Suzanne Vail, Mary Heath, Constance Van Houten, Sue Mullen | relative to education service providers under the education freedom account program |
| HB 1115 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1904&type=4 | Patricia Cornell | Robert Renny Cushing, Mel Myler, Mary Heath, Arthur Ellison, Sue Mullen | relative to record of educational attainment under the educational freedom account program |
| HB 1120 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1832&type=4 | Sue Mullen | Marjorie Porter, Mel Myler, Mary Heath, Patricia Cornell, Stephen Woodcock, Arthur Ellison, Catherin Rombeau | relative to education service providers under the education freedom accounts program |
| HB 1135 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1238&type=4 | Sallie Fellows | Richard Ames, Thomas Schamberg, Linda Tanner, Suzanne Vail, Mary Heath, Suzanne Prentiss, Mark Paige | requiring a performance audit of the department of education, education freedom account program |
| HB 1141 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1469&type=4 | Glenn Cordelli | Andrew Renzullo, Kevin Avard, Ruth Ward, Denise Ricciardi | relative to special education services for children in chartered public schools |
| HB 1152 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1504&type=4 | Bonnie Ham | Dan Wolf, Brodie Deshaies | relative to verification of eligible students under the education freedom account program |
| HB 1208 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1240&type=4 | Timothy Lang | Jason Osborne, Kevin Avard, Michael Moffett, Howard Pearl, Bob Greene, Michael Yakubovich, Judy Aron, Gregg Hough, Aidan Ankarberg | relative to driver education |
| HB 1283 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1869&type=4 | David Luneau | Marjorie Smith, Richard Ames | relative to liability as taxable income of education freedom account payments |
| HB 1298 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1435&type=4 | Glenn Cordelli | Carol McGuire, Jason Osborne, Gregory Hill, Michael Moffett, Alicia Lekas, Tony Piemonte, Deborah Hobson | relative to eligibility for the education tax credit |
| HB 1355 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1875&type=4 | David Luneau | requiring the scholarship organization to refer suspected cases of misuse of funds or fraud in the education freedom account program to the attorney general | |
| HB 1376 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1612&type=4 | Patricia Cornell | Robert Renny Cushing, Marjorie Porter, Mary Heath, Arthur Ellison, Sue Mullen | relative to participation in the education freedom accounts program by students with disabilities |
| HB 1428 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1271&type=4 | Maureen Mooney | Sharon Carson, Kenneth Weyler, Jeanine Notter, Ruth Ward, Robert Healey | relative to the provision of special education services by chartered public schools |
| HB 1513 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1259&type=4 | Bill Boyd | David Watters, John Reagan, Rick Ladd, Glenn Cordelli, Mark McLean, James Spillane, Michael Moffett, Kevin Verville | relative to the definition of a child with a disability for purposes of special education |
| HB 1516 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1464&type=4 | Marjorie Porter | Marjorie Smith, Paul Berch, Mel Myler, Linda Tanner, Mary Heath, Patricia Cornell, Jay Kahn, Stephen Woodcock, Arthur Ellison, Sue Mullen, Suzanne Prentiss | relative to the source of funds for education freedom accounts |
| HB 1615 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1744&type=4 | Susan Almy | David Watters, George Sykes | relative to driver education and the driver training fund |
| HB 1627 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1911&type=4 | Gregory Hill | Kenneth Weyler, Rick Ladd, Glenn Cordelli | establishing an education freedom account program administrator in the department of education and making an appropriation therefor |
| HB 1637 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1140&type=4 | Brodie Deshaies | Patrick Long, Linda Massimilla, Dan Wolf, Bonnie Ham, James Allard | requiring parents of public school students to submit a survey when electing an education freedom account |
| HB 1649 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1850&type=4 | Linda Tanner | Marjorie Porter, Mel Myler, Mary Heath, Stephen Woodcock, Sallie Fellows, Sue Mullen | relative to unique pupil identification for pupils in the education freedom accounts program |
| HB 1663 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1636&type=4 | Erica Layon | Jeanine Notter, Glenn Cordelli, Kimberly Rice, Michael Moffett, Alilcia Lekas, Hershel Nunez | relative to requirements for home education students |
| HB 1669 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1500&type=4 | Bonnie Ham | Mel Myler, Dan Wolf, Brodie Deshaies | requiring the department of education to administer the education freedom account program |
| HB 1670 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1509&type=4 | Bonnie Ham | Dan Wolf, Brodie Deshaies | relative to funds of the education freedom account program after termination of a student's participation and responsibilities of the scholarship organization |
| HB 1672 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1868&type=4 | David Luneau | Mel Myler | relative to misuse of education freedom account funds |
| HB 1678 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1608&type=4 | Erica Layon | Michael Moffett, Alicia Lekas, Hershel Nunez | relative to student participation in the education freedom accounts program and relative to administration of the program |
| HB 1683 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1871&type=4 | David Luneau | Timothy Horrigan, Mel Myler, Connie Lane | repealing the education freedom account program |
| HB 1684 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1873&type=4 | David Luneau | Mel Myler | limiting education freedom account funding to budgeted amounts |
| SB 235 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=2014&type=3 | Jay Kahn | David Watters, Donna Soucy, Richard Ames, Mel Myler, Mary Heath, David Luneau, Dan Wolf, Tom Sherman, Cindy Rosenwald, Suzanne Prentiss, Rebecca Perkins Kwoka | relative to the authority to offer multiple education instruction options |
| SB 237 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=2092&type=3 | Tom Sherman | Lou D'Allesandro, David Watters, Donna Soucy, Marjorie Smith, Mel Myler, David Luneau, Jay Kahn, Kevin Cavanaugh, Cindy Rosenwald, Suzanne Prentiss, Rebecca Whitley, Rebecca Perkins Kwoka | relative to participation in the education freedom account program |
| SB 421 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=1946&type=3 | David Watters | Lou D'Allesandro, Sharon Carson, John Reagan, Donna Soucy, Rick Ladd, Carol McGuire, Glenn Cordelli, James Gray, Ruth Ward, Bill Ganon, Kevin Cavanaugh, Tom Sherman, Cindy Rosenwald, Erin Hennessey, Suzanne Prentiss, Rebecca Whitley, Rebecca Perkins Kwoka | relative to dual and concurrent enrollment for career technical education center students |
| SB 432 | http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/lsr_search/billText.aspx?id=2071&type=3 | Jay Kahn | Lou D'Allesandro, David Watters, Donna Soucy, Kevin Cavanaugh, Tom Sherman, Cindy Rosenwald, Suzanne Prentiss, Rebecca Whitley, Rebecca Perkins Kwoka | repealing the education freedom account program |
By Michelle Levell
