The Bill as Filed, the Need for a Major Amendment, GSHE’s Proposal, and What Families Should Expect Next
GSHE is continuing to monitor HB 1268, a bill affecting New Hampshire’s independent home education law, RSA 193-A. As of now, the bill remains in its original filed form, with no public amendment language released by sponsors.
The link to the bill as introduced is here.
This update summarizes where things stand, what concerns remain unresolved, and what families should expect next.
The Bill as Filed
HB 1268, as originally introduced, makes several structural changes to RSA 193-A that would significantly alter how home education programs are documented, how families interact with districts, and impact children with special education needs. The bill raises serious concerns about clarity, scope, and unintended consequences for families acting in good faith, including significant risks regarding truancy and DCYF interactions.
While sponsors indicate they wish to support NH’s independent home education community, GSHE is focused on the written language of the bill.
GSHE shared extensive analysis with the bill’s prime sponsor in mid-October and it is available here.
Acknowledged Need for a Major Amendment
It is widely understood—including by legislators involved—that HB 1268 cannot move forward responsibly without a major amendment. The bill, as written, does not provide the precision or safeguards necessary when dealing with parental rights and long-standing home education law.
However, no amendment language from the bill’s sponsors has been released or circulated publicly as of this writing.
GSHE’s Proposed Amendment to RSA 193-A:5
In the absence of amendment language, GSHE drafted and submitted a narrow, targeted amendment focused on RSA 193-A:5, the most problematic part of the bill, to all of the bill’s sponsors.
GSHE’s proposal does the following:
- Provides a notarized, self-documented declaration that does not need to be filed with any government body, similar to other long-standing legal tools such as wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
- Creates a clear, positive defense in cases involving truancy, DCYF, or enrollment questions.
- Uses a mechanism that is widely available, inexpensive, and accessible.
- Is fully contained within RSA 193-A and does not modify truancy law, compulsory attendance statute, or the Child Protection Act.
- Provides a clean legal framework for both the initiation of home education and its proper termination or conclusion, including graduation.
This amendment is intentionally limited in scope and is not designed to replace the entire bill.
No Public Hearing Date Yet
At this time, no public hearing is scheduled for HB 1268. Families should be aware that a hearing is expected sometime soon, but the date remains TBA.
Once a hearing is scheduled, GSHE will provide notice of the time and location, talking points, and instructions on how to submit testimony.
More Background on HB 1268
You can find more about GSHE’s coverage on HB 1268 here, in our initial coverage of this bill as written, and our concerns that this bill may be beyond repair given legislators’ other priorities.
HB 1268 (2026): Proposed Changes to NH’s Home Education Law
You Can’t Fix a Bad Bill: Why GSHE is Opposing HB 1268 Heading Into 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.
