Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Paragraph; Duty to Provide Education; Questioning of Students. Amend RSA 189:1-a by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:
VI. School boards and the board of trustees of chartered public schools shall develop and adopt a policy governing the questioning of a student who is minor by any person who is not an employee of the school district or school administrative unit, and certain employees of the school district described herein. The policy shall prohibit the questioning of a minor student without expressed prior written parental or guardian permission, by non-employee persons including but not limited to persons who are attorneys, paralegals, and law enforcement personnel, as well as such persons in these professions who are employees of the school district or school administrative unit. Such persons shall not be present during questioning of a minor student by school employees without prior written parental or guardian permission. The policy shall also require that an adult student be asked if they want their parents or guardians notified, with the opportunity for the parents or guardians to be present during any such questioning. Parents and guardians of their minor student, and of their adult student if the adult student consents, shall have a right to be present during any questioning, and shall have the right to have their own attorney present. Parents and guardians of minor students and adult students aggrieved by a violation of this chapter may petition the superior court for declaratory and equitable relief, in the same manner as taxpayers pursuant to RSA 189:77. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent personnel from the division of children, youth and family services or law enforcement from questioning a minor student without parental notice if the question is part of a legitimate child welfare inquiry under RSA 169-C.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Paragraph; Duty to Provide Education; Questioning of Students. Amend RSA 189:1-a by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:
VI. School boards and the board of trustees of chartered public schools shall develop and adopt a policy governing the questioning of a student who is minor by any person who is not an employee of the school district or school administrative unit, and certain employees of the school district described herein. The policy shall prohibit the questioning of a minor student without expressed prior written parental or guardian permission, by non-employee persons including but not limited to persons who are attorneys, paralegals, and law enforcement personnel, as well as such persons in these professions who are employees of the school district or school administrative unit. Such persons shall not be present during questioning of a minor student by school employees without prior written parental or guardian permission. The policy shall also require that an adult student be asked if they want their parents or guardians notified, with the opportunity for the parents or guardians to be present during any such questioning. Parents and guardians of their minor student, and of their adult student if the adult student consents, shall have a right to be present during any questioning, and shall have the right to have their own attorney present. Parents and guardians of minor students and adult students aggrieved by a violation of this chapter may petition the superior court for declaratory and equitable relief, in the same manner as taxpayers pursuant to RSA 189:77. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent personnel from the division of children, youth and family services or law enforcement from questioning a minor student without parental notice if the question is part of a legitimate child welfare inquiry under RSA 169-C.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.