Revision: May 19, 2022, 5:31 p.m.
May 19, 2022
2022-2085-CofC
07/04
Committee of Conference Report on HB 1431-FN-LOCAL, establishing the parental bill of rights.
Recommendation:
That the House recede from its position of nonconcurrence with the Senate amendment, and concur with the Senate amendment, and
That the Senate and House adopt the following new amendment to the bill as amended by the Senate, and pass the bill as so amended:
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Declaration of Purpose. The general court finds that it is a fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children. The general court further finds that important information relating to a minor child should not be withheld, either inadvertently or purposefully, from his or her parent, including information relating to the minor’s education. The general court further finds it is necessary to establish a consistent mechanism for parents to be notified of information relating to the health, education, and well-being of their minor children.
2 New Chapter; Parental Bill of Rights. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 169-H the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 169-I
PARENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS
169-I:1 Short Title. This chapter may be cited as the Parents' Bill of Rights.
169-I:2 Definitions. In this chapter, "parent" means a person who has legal custody of a minor child as a natural or adoptive parent or a legal guardian, but such term shall not include a parent with whom the parent-child relationship has been terminated by judicial decree or voluntary relinquishment.
169-I:3 Infringement of Parental Rights Prohibited. The state, any of its political subdivisions, including, without limitation, any school board, school district, or school administrative unit, any other governmental entity shall not infringe on the fundamental rights of a parent to direct the upbringing and education of his or her minor child without demonstrating that such action is reasonable and necessary to achieve a compelling state interest and that such action is narrowly tailored and cannot be achieved by less restrictive means.
169-I:4 Parental Rights.
I. All parental rights are reserved to the parent of a minor child in this state without obstruction or interference from the state, any of its political subdivisions, including, without limitation, any school board, school district, or school administrative unit, or any other governmental entity including, but not limited to, all of the following rights of a parent of a minor child in this state:
(a) The right to direct the education and care of his or her minor child.
(b) The right to direct the upbringing and the moral or religious training of his or her minor child.
(c) The right to apply to enroll his or her minor child in a public school or, as an alternative to public education, a private school, including a religious school, a home education program, or other available options, as authorized by law.
(d) The right to access and review all school records relating to his or her minor child, pursuant to RSA 189:66, IV.
(e) The right to be notified promptly if an employee of the state, any of its political subdivisions, or any other governmental entity has a reasonable basis to believe that a criminal offense has been committed against his or her minor child, unless the incident has first been reported to law enforcement or the bureau of child protective services and notifying the parent would impede the investigation.
II. An employee of the state, any of its political subdivisions, including, without limitation, any school board, school district, or school administrative unit, or any other governmental entity who encourages or coerces, or attempts to encourage or coerce, a minor child to withhold information from his or her parent who is not suspected of a criminal offense against the minor and sharing the information would not impede an investigation of a criminal offense against the minor may be subject to disciplinary action.
III. A parent of a minor child in this state has rights that are more comprehensive than those listed in this section. This chapter shall not be construed to prescribe all rights to a parent of a minor child in this state.
169-I:5 Parental Rights in Education.
I. Each school board, school district, or school administrative unit shall, in consultation with parents, teachers, and administrators, develop and adopt publicly a policy to promote parental involvement in the public school system. Such policy shall include:
(a) A plan for parental participation in schools to improve parent and teacher cooperation in such areas as homework, school attendance, and discipline.
(b) A procedure for a parent to learn about his or her minor child’s course of study, including the source of any supplemental education materials.
(c) Procedures for a parent to learn about the nature and purpose of clubs and activities offered at his or her minor child’s school, including those that are extracurricular or part of the school curriculum.
(d) Procedures for a parent to learn about gifted or special education programs offered in the district.
(e) Procedures for a parent to learn about parental rights and responsibilities under general law, including all of the following:
(1) Their right to object to instructional materials and other materials used in the classroom, pursuant to RSA 186:11, IX-c.
(2) Their right to exercise their option to get an exception to a particular health or sex education instruction, pursuant to RSA 186:11, IX-b.
(3) Their right to exempt his or her minor child from immunizations, as provided in RSA 141-C:20-a.
(4) Their right to review statewide, standardized assessment results.
(5) Their right to inspect school district instructional materials.
(6) Their right to access information relating to the school district’s policies for promotion or retention, including high school graduation requirements.
(7) Their right to receive a school report card and be informed of his or her minor child’s attendance requirements and compliance with such requirements.
(8) Their right to access information relating to the state standards, report card requirements, attendance requirements, and instructional materials requirements.
(9) Their right to participate in parent-teacher associations and parent-teacher organizations that are sanctioned by a school board or the department of education.
(10) The right of a parent to opt out of any district-level data collection relating to his or her minor child not required by law.
(f) The right to be notified promptly when any school board, school district, school administrative unit, school administrator, or other school employee initiates, terminates, or changes:
(1) A student's course of study or registration in classes, athletic teams, clubs, or other extra-curricular activities;
(2) Any discipline imposed by school authorities;
(3) Services recommended or provided pursuant to an individualized education plan or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
(4) Provision of any Medicaid services;
(5) Enrollment in any Title I services or free and reduced lunch program;
(6) Off-campus activities, including field trips or off-campus privileges;
(7) Medical treatment, including provision of medication, psychological, or counseling services; or
(8) Directory information.
(g) The right to be notified promptly when any school board, school district, school administrative unit, school administrator, or other school employee initiates, investigates, or finds the need for any action by school authorities relating to the student pursuant to school policies governing student conduct, truancy, dress code violations, sexual harassment, bullying, hazing, behavior management and intervention, substance use, suicide prevention, gender expression or identity, disability accommodation, and special meal prescription.
II. A parent may request, in writing, from the superintendent the information required under this section. Within 10 business days of such request, the superintendent shall provide such information to the parent. If the superintendent denies a parent’s request for information or does not respond to the parent’s request within 10 business days, the parent may appeal the denial to the school board. The school board shall place a parent’s appeal on the agenda for its next public meeting. If it is too late for a parent’s appeal to appear on the next agenda, the appeal shall be included on the agenda for the subsequent meeting. If a parent is dissatisfied with the results of such an appeal, or such an appeal does not take place in a timely fashion as required by this paragraph, the aggrieved parent may bring an action for declaratory and injunctive relief as set forth in RSA 169-I:7.
III. Any parent or guardian who is a protected person under an order made pursuant to RSA 173-B, RSA 458-A, RSA 633, or RSA 597, or any reasonably similar order issued by a New Hampshire court or any reasonably similar order issued by any other jurisdiction, may deliver a copy of such order to any school superintendent or building principal. Upon receipt of such order, the school superintendent or building principal shall take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that information that would disclose any contact information, including, but not limited to, address, telephone number, and email address, shall not be released to any person who is the subject of such an order.
169-I:6 Exceptions. This chapter does not:
I. Authorize a parent of a minor child in this state to engage in conduct that is unlawful or to abuse or neglect his or her minor child in violation of general law, as defined in RSA 169-C.
II. Restrict the authority of the department of health and human services, division for children, youth and families.
III. Prohibit a court of competent jurisdiction, law enforcement officer, or employees of a government agency that is responsible for child welfare from acting in his or her official capacity.
169-I:7 Violations. Any parent claiming a violation of any provisions of this chapter may bring an action for declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and money damages against the state or any of its political subdivisions, including, without limitation, any school board, school district, or school administrative unit, any other governmental entity which the parent claims has violated this chapter in the superior court having jurisdiction over the relevant individual or the state or any of its political subdivisions. If the court finds in favor of the parent, it may award reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs to the parent.
3 Severability. In the event that any of the terms or provisions of this act are declared invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining terms and provisions that are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. In construing this provision, a court shall make such ruling in a manner that favors retaining the enforceability of any remaining terms to the greatest extent possible.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2023.
The signatures below attest to the authenticity of this Report on HB 1431-FN-LOCAL, establishing the parental bill of rights.
Conferees on the Part of the Senate Conferees on the Part of the House
_________________________________________ _______________________________________
Sen. Carson, Dist. 14 Rep. Osborne, Rock. 4
_________________________________________ _______________________________________
Sen. Gannon, Dist. 23 Rep. Packard, Rock. 5
_________________________________________ _______________________________________
Sen. French, Dist. 7 Rep. Steven Smith, Sull. 11
_______________________________________