HB 131 (2026): relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention.

HB 131 (2026)

relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General
• Chapter law: 205

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Education Policy and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 23, 2025, with 22 people signed in online: 19 in support and 3 in opposition. The committee held a work session on March 3, 2025. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee met in executive session on March 12, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a public hearing on November 5, 2025 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2025-3000h), with 15 people signed in online: 1 in support and 14 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on November 5, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-3071h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-3071h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 190–149. It crossed to the Senate on January 29, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1396s). The committee's amendment (2026-1396s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 16, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 16, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 7, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1396s” on a division vote 169–133, on a motion by Rep. Kristin Noble. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2131e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 205 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Rick Ladd (R - Graf 5) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Glenn Cordelli (R - Carr 7)
• Rep. Margaret Drye (R - Sull 7)
• Rep. Kristin Noble (R - Hills 2)
• Rep. Paul Terry (R - Belk 7)
• Rep. Bob Lynn (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Kenneth Weyler (R - Rock 14)
• Rep. Gregory Hill (R - Merr 2)
• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32)
• Rep. Steven Smith (R - Sull 3)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 23, 2025, 2:00 PM: public hearing, House Education Policy and Administration, LOB 205-207
• March 3, 2025, 11:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Education Policy and Administration, LOB 203
• March 12, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, LOB 205-207
• November 5, 2025, 2:00 PM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 24, 2026, 9:35 AM: hearing, Senate Education, SL Map Room
• April 16, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 190, nays 149, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1396s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1396s — yeas 169, nays 133, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 193-F:6
• RSA 193-F:4
• RSA 193-F:3

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 51, page 28
• HJ 1, pages 133 and 135
• SC 11
• SC 14
• SJ 9
• HJ 12, page 2
• SJ 14
• HJ 14, page 37
• HJ 15, page 45