Revision: April 30, 2025, 3:51 p.m.
Rep. Roy, Rock. 31
April 25, 2025
2025-1756h
11/05
Amendment to SB 54-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated, and mandatory firearms safety training in public schools.
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 4 with the following:
5 New Chapter; Firearms Training in Public Schools. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 193-K the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 193-L
Firearms Training in Public Schools
193-L:1 Short Title. This chapter shall be known as the "New Hampshire Firearms Safety Education Act."
193-L:2 Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this chapter is to promote public safety and responsible citizenship by ensuring that all students in New Hampshire public schools receive age-appropriate education on firearms safety in order to foster an understanding of safe handling, storage, and the legal responsibilities associated with firearms ownership and use, consistent with the state’s commitment to individual rights and community well-being.
193-L:3 Definitions.
In this chapter:
I. "Firearms safety training" means an educational curriculum designed to teach students the principles of safe firearm handling, storage, and avoidance, including but not limited to the National Rifle Association’s Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program or equivalent programs approved by the department of education.
II. "Public school" means all public and chartered public schools in the state.
193-L:4 Mandatory Firearms Safety Training.
I. The department of education, in consultation with the department of safety and qualified firearms instructors, shall develop or adopt standardized firearms safety training pursuant to RSA 193-L:5 for public school students in grades K-12 by January 1, 2026.
II. The department shall provide curricular material to each school district at no cost to the district. The department shall actively seek federal funds, state and federal grants, and other sources of funding to support the costs associated with firearms safety training. The department shall develop guidelines regarding individual donations to the department from individuals, groups, or organizations to support training efforts and costs.
193-L:5 Mandatory Firearms Safety Training; Requirements and Delivery.
I. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, firearms safety training shall be taught annually in all public schools as part of the health, physical education, or civics curriculum, with a minimum of one instructional hour per school year dedicated to this purpose. The training shall be mandatory for every public school student unless a student's parent or legal guardian receives an exception pursuant to RSA 193-L:6 and 186:11, IX-c.
II. The training shall be age-appropriate for each grade level, with students in grades K-5 receiving instruction focused on avoidance and reporting and students in grades 6-12 receiving expanded instruction to include basic firearm mechanics, safe handling principles, secure storage practices, and an overview of state and federal firearms laws. Firearms safety training shall not include live firearms or ammunition in the classroom but may incorporate training aids such as dummy firearms or multimedia resources.
III. The training shall be administered by school staff or external instructors certified in firearms safety education by a recognized organization or as approved by the department of education.
193-L:6 Exception.
School districts shall adopt a policy in accordance with RSA 186:11, IX-c to allow an exception by a parent or legal guardian to all or part of the firearms safety training.
193-L:7 Compliance and Reporting.
I. Each school district shall submit an annual report to the department of education by the final day of the school year, confirming compliance with this chapter and detailing the number of students trained and excepted.
II. The department of education shall compile and submit a summary report detailing the number of students trained and excepted to the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate by September 1 of each year, beginning in 2027.
193-L:8 Severability. If any provision of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect the other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.
6 New Paragraph; Duties of the State Board of Education; Firearms Safety Training. Amend RSA 186:11 by inserting after paragraph XXXVI the following new paragraph:
XXXVI-a. Firearms Safety Training. Develop or adopt, and distribute to school districts, an educational curriculum designed to teach students the principles of safe firearm handling, storage, and avoidance, as required under RSA 193-L.
I. Sections 5 and 6 of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
2025-1756h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Modifies periods of suspension under different circumstances stemming from a refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and modifies the penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.
II. Requires the department of education to create or adopt standardized firearms safety training for mandatory instruction in public schools.