The NH legislature finished the 2026 session and final results are available for three bills affecting home education in New Hampshire. This update summarizes the outcomes for HB 1155, HB 1268, and HB 1774, with a focus on implications for independent, self-funded home education families.
HB 1155 (New Title) repealing the home education advisory council
- Bill text as introduced
- As passed by the House
- The House amended the bill to repeal HEAC and retain the state Board of Education’s rule-making authority. This is in contrast to HB 1268’s amendment #0887h, which strikes the entire section of RSA 193-A related to HEAC and the Board of Education’s rule-making authority. In the executive session of HB 1268, the sponsor recalled attempts in 2009 when the rule-making authority was used to implement more restrictive regulations of home education that were rejected by the legislature. Refer to this video beginning around mark 1:00:46.
- Senate Education Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 5-0 vote.
- The full Senate upheld the Interim Study motion. It is a “soft kill,” usually indicating that the senate agrees with the concept of the legislation, but chooses not to pursue it at this time, likely because HB 1268 already dissolves HEAC and advances further by removing rulemaking authority.
HB 1268 – Modifying definitions and requirements relative to home education programs
- Bill text as introduced
- As passed by the House
- This bill completely rewrites NH’s home education statute. We appreciate the committee’s work and the sponsor’s willingness to incorporate changes. This version is stronger than previous drafts in several key ways, and it addresses a number of concerns GSHE and other families have raised since the bill was introduced.
- However, core structural gaps remain — particularly the lack of a proactive, affirmative shield for families when enforcement questions arise under the unchanged compulsory attendance, truancy, and child-protection statutes. Read more about it here.
- Senate Education Committee Report: amendment 1737s with a 3-2 vote.
- The senate introduced a non-germane floor amendment regarding pharmacy benefits managers, amendment 1872s.
- The final Senate version is largely the same as the House-passed bill. Key retained elements include full dissolution of the Home Education Advisory Council (HEAC) and a directive to the State Board of Education to repeal Ed 315 rules on an expedited basis. The Senate removed the provision extending Equal Access (RSA 193:1-c) to EFA participants.
- The NH House concurred with the Senate version of HB 1268 which advanced the bill to Governor Ayotte. It is expected to be signed and become law effective July 1, 2026.
- Find a summary of the changes to RSA 193-A here. We will update our summary when the Governor enacts HB 1268 to serve as GSHE’s go-to reference while we update the website to reflect appropriate changes.
HB 1774 – Relative to qualifying scholarship granting organizations and programs of low-earning outcomes (federal tax-credit scholarships)
- Bill text as introduced
- As passed by the House
- This bill enables NH participation in a new federal tax-credit scholarship program and may affect independent home education families depending on participation in the scholarship program. Full GSHE analysis here: HB 1774 (2026): Federal Tax-Credit Scholarships and Independent Home Education.
- The Senate Education Committee unanimously voted to support the bill with amendment 1728s that clarifies and limits the Department of Revenue Administration’s role and shifts the overall effective date to July 1, 2026. It also explicitly prohibits rulemaking as a safeguard against administrative creep.
- This bill enables NH participation in a new federal tax-credit scholarship program. Participation by independent home education families would subject them to rules, regulations, and requirements imposed by the scholarship organization and the federal government.
- The Senate passed HB 1774 as amended, and the House concurred. The bill is expected to be signed by Governor Ayotte and become effective as of July 1, 2026.
Want to Support Home Education in New Hampshire?
Families who want to engage with the legislative process—whether for five minutes or an entire day—can find practical guidance in our how-to resource:
Making a Difference: How to Engage in NH’s Legislative Process
GSHE Advocacy Resources
Join GSHE to access all of our how-to guides, community forums, and receive our newsletter to stay informed.
Sign up for our newsletters and periodic special alerts at our website. Members automatically receive our monthly newsletters directly to your emails.
Members can access our Making a Difference how-to guide that includes a video on how to be an effective advocate in Concord — how to follow bills, prepare testimony, and coordinate with others.
Members can also find news and updates in our GSHE Action Forum that is focused on advocacy for traditional, unfunded home education, open to NH home education families and supporters not legislators or special-interest organizations and their representatives.
Granite State Home Educators (GSHE) is a 501c4, all-volunteer statewide grassroots organization created to support and empower families who choose home education for their children’s learning.
