HB 1817-FN (2026): relative to access to curricular courses and cocurricular programs within school districts.

HB 1817-FN (2026)

relative to access to curricular courses and cocurricular programs within school districts.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General
• Chapter law: 183

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 February 4, 2026, with 548 people signed in online: 269 in support, 278 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0911h), 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 (2026-0911h) was adopted on a division vote 177–150 on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 179–156. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 31, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1733s). On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to lay it on the table on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Ruth Ward. On May 14, 2026 the Senate adopted “Remove From Table” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Daryl Abbas. The committee's amendment (2026-1733s) was rejected on a voice vote on May 14, 2026. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 19, 2026, making it Chapter 183 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Valerie McDonnell (R - Rock 25) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Pam Brown (R - Rock 14)
• Rep. Gregory Hill (R - Merr 2)
• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Bryan Morse (R - Merr 3)
• Rep. James Thibault (R - Merr 25)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 4, 2026, 10:45 AM: public hearing, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• March 2, 2026, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, GP 232
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 31, 2026, 9:25 AM: hearing, Senate Education, SL Map Room
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 177, nays 150, passed
• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 179, nays 156, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Laid on Table — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Remove From Table — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — yeas 15, nays 8, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 193:1-c

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 37
• HC 10, page 38
• HJ 7, pages 134 and 135
• SJ 7
• SC 12
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SJ 12
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 43