Bills give parents more power in school curriculum, how educational $ are spent

Governor Kelly Ayotte signs education bills as legislators, parents and students look on. (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - Governor Kelly Ayotte on Tuesday signed HB 10 and SB 295 to establish a Parental Bill of Rights and expand education opportunities for New Hampshire families.

The bills gives parents more power to determine what is best for their children when it comes to their schooling.
"Giving parents the freedom to choose the education setting that best fits their child's needs will help every student in our state reach their full potential," she said. "I'm proud to sign this into law today along with the Parental Bill of Rights, which ensures parents are the central voice in their children's education."

New Hampshire's "Parental Bill of Rights" (HB 10) expands on existing parental rights in education, health, and upbringing, giving parents more control over their children's lives. The bill codifies many rights already present, like choosing a school, accessing school records, and opting out of specific lessons, while also creating new ones. It mandates school boards to develop policies promoting parental involvement

New Hampshire's SB 295 expands education freedom accounts (EFAs) by eliminating income eligibility requirements, which makes them accessible to all K-12 students. This bill also sets a $10,000-student cap for the 2025-2026 school year, which increases by 25 percent annually. EFAs allow families to use state-provided funds for various education-related expenses, including private school tuition, homeschooling, and tutoring.

Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut added his full-throated endorsement of the legislation, which includes the Education Freedom Accounts.

"New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program has already transformed lives by giving families access to the educational pathways that best fit their children's needs," he said. "Expanding this opportunity through universal eligibility is a bold and forward-thinking move that reimagines what education can be, providing every student with the opportunity to reach their full potential and experience a bright future."