On March 11, 2026, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed HB 1268 on a roll call vote of 174–166 Ought to Pass with Amendment (OTPA). The bill now advances to the Senate Education Committee.
The House adopted floor amendment #2026-1098h, which makes targeted adjustments to the earlier committee amendment #2026-0887h. The two amendments are blended into a single version that moves forward to the Senate.
While considerable improvements were made to the bill as introduced, several areas of concern remain.
GSHE’s position remains unchanged: While the bill reduces paperwork burdens and includes certain reactive protections, core structural gaps persist. When statutes are in conflict, one does not take precedence over the other. It leaves inconsistencies that will not give more weight to the protections that only exist in RSA 193-A, if HB 1268 should become law. Specifically, the lack of a proactive, affirmative shield for families when enforcement questions arise under the unchanged compulsory attendance (RSA 193:1), truancy (RSA 189:35-a), and child-protection (RSA 169-C) statutes. HB 1268 does not neutralize the enforcement powers in the other statutes. Families continue to face a “guilty until proven innocent” dynamic in practice.
The Equal Access provision for Education Freedom Account (EFA) participants and the modifications to RSA 169-C (Child Protection Act) remain in the blended version.
Next Steps
This coming week is “crossover” when successful bills in the House and Senate are traded for another round of public hearings and exec sessions.
The Senate Education Committee will schedule a public hearing TBA and that is the next key opportunity to submit testimony and speak on how the bill affects real-life enforcement risks for independent home education families.
GSHE will monitor the Senate process and provide updates as hearing dates and details are
More Background on HB 1268
You can find more about GSHE’s coverage on HB 1268.
HB 1268 Amendment #0887h: NH Home Education Bill Update
GSHE Testimony on HB 1268: Why the Amendment Falls Short and How to Strengthen Parental Rights
Public Hearing Notice: HB 1268 (2026) re Major Changes to Home Education
Home Education Freedom Respects Parents’ Rights
HB 1268 (2026): Legislative Update
You Can’t Fix a Bad Bill: Why GSHE is Opposing HB 1268 Heading Into 2026
HB 1268 (2026): Proposed Changes to NH’s Home Education Law
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.
