HB 1573 (2026): permitting excused absences for student participation in certain activities and mandating the state board of education to grant school reassignment requests for students demonstrating a manifest educational hardship

HB 1573 (2026)

permitting excused absences for student participation in certain activities and mandating the state board of education to grant school reassignment requests for students demonstrating a manifest educational hardship

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General
• Chapter law: 307

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Education Policy and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 12, 2026, with 11 people signed in online: 3 in support and 8 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 12, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0396h), 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 (2026-0396h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 200–149. It crossed to the Senate on March 5, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2026-1244s). The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1729s). The committee's amendment (2026-1729s) was adopted on a roll call 14–8 on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1244s and 2026-1729s” on a division vote 186–160, 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 (2026-2166e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 10, 2026, making it Chapter 307 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. James Thibault (R - Merr 25) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Margaret Drye (R - Sull 7)
• Rep. Samuel Farrington (R - Straf 8)
• Rep. Lisa Freeman (R - Belk 8)
• Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia (R - Belk 3)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Melissa Litchfield (R - Rock 32)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D - Hills 33)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 12, 2026, 10:15 AM: public hearing, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• January 12, 2026, 10:15 AM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• March 5, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 7, 2026, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Education, SL Map Room
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0396h — yeas 200, nays 149, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 14, nays 8, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1244s and 2026-1729s — yeas 186, nays 160, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 193
• RSA 186:11
• RSA 193:3
• RSA 193:12

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 26
• HC 9, page 37
• HJ 6, page 85
• SJ 6
• SC 13
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 7
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 50 and 56
• SJ 15