1 New Section; Excused Absences for Civic and Career Technical Education Activities. Amend RSA 193 by inserting after section 1-c the following new section:

193:1-d Excused Absences for Civic and Career Technical Education Activities.

I. Students in public or public charter primary or secondary schools who wish to attend civic events during the school day shall have their school absences excused.

II. For the purposes of this section:

(a) A "civic event" shall be defined as any event, activity, hearing, or meeting held by federal, state, or local government bodies, community-based organizations, or non-profit organizations relating to a civic or political issue.

(b) A "career or technical education event," or "CTE event," shall be defined as any event or activity relating to a career or technical education curriculum or student organization, such as 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Future Business Leaders of America, SkillsUSA, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), or DECA.

III. Schools shall be required to excuse 2 of a student's school day absences per 45 school day period for civic or CTE events.

(a) This paragraph shall not preclude schools from excusing further absences at their own discretion.

(b) Students 18 years old or older who wish to vote in an election shall be granted an excused tardy or early dismissal to do so, unless the school is already closed on said day for the purposes of an election. The moderator or designee shall provide students with a signed form confirming that they have voted at a certain time after they have cast their ballot to return to the school for verification of the excusal. Such excusals shall not count toward a student's minimum excused absences under this paragraph.

(c) Participation in activities related to statutory or executive New Hampshire youth advisory councils, either as a member or a guest, shall supersede this paragraph and shall always be excused.

(d) Students attending multi-day conferences for career and technical student organizations or civic leadership may have absences for such conferences excused with proof of attendance.

IV. Schools may require students provide evidence of attendance of the activity they claim participation in to verify the justification of the absence. Such evidence may include:

(a) A form created by the school and signed by an official of the activity, such as a New Hampshire house or senate committee clerk or other government staffer, or event official; or

(b) A letter of excusal signed by a government or CTE event official.

V. In addition to the requirements outlined in paragraph III, parents shall submit a notice to school administrators no less than two school days before their student intends to be absent to attend a civic or CTE event, with the exception of election days.

2 New Paragraph; Duties of the State Board of Education. Amend RSA 186:11 by inserting after paragraph XXXVII the following new paragraph:

XXXVIII. Civic and Career Technical Education. The state board of education shall develop and maintain rules pursuant to RSA 193:1-d civic and CTE events, such as testifying on legislation; serving on membership on statutory or executive New Hampshire youth advisory councils; and attending local government meetings or hearings, to count as alternative academic credit in public, public charter, and private secondary schools that serve as public schools under RSA 193:3, VII, including fulfillment of the civic education graduation requirement.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

1 New Section; Excused Absences for Civic and Career Technical Education Activities. Amend RSA 193 by inserting after section 1-c the following new section:

193:1-d Excused Absences for Civic and Career Technical Education Activities.

I. Students in public or public charter primary or secondary schools who wish to attend civic events during the school day shall have their school absences excused.

II. For the purposes of this section:

(a) A "civic event" shall be defined as any event, activity, hearing, or meeting held by federal, state, or local government bodies, community-based organizations, or non-profit organizations relating to a civic or political issue.

(b) A "career or technical education event," or "CTE event," shall be defined as any event or activity relating to a career or technical education curriculum or student organization, such as 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Future Business Leaders of America, SkillsUSA, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), or DECA.

III. Schools shall be required to excuse 2 of a student's school day absences per 45 school day period for civic or CTE events.

(a) This paragraph shall not preclude schools from excusing further absences at their own discretion.

(b) Students 18 years old or older who wish to vote in an election shall be granted an excused tardy or early dismissal to do so, unless the school is already closed on said day for the purposes of an election. The moderator or designee shall provide students with a signed form confirming that they have voted at a certain time after they have cast their ballot to return to the school for verification of the excusal. Such excusals shall not count toward a student's minimum excused absences under this paragraph.

(c) Participation in activities related to statutory or executive New Hampshire youth advisory councils, either as a member or a guest, shall supersede this paragraph and shall always be excused.

(d) Students attending multi-day conferences for career and technical student organizations or civic leadership may have absences for such conferences excused with proof of attendance.

IV. Schools may require students provide evidence of attendance of the activity they claim participation in to verify the justification of the absence. Such evidence may include:

(a) A form created by the school and signed by an official of the activity, such as a New Hampshire house or senate committee clerk or other government staffer, or event official; or

(b) A letter of excusal signed by a government or CTE event official.

V. In addition to the requirements outlined in paragraph III, parents shall submit a notice to school administrators no less than two school days before their student intends to be absent to attend a civic or CTE event, with the exception of election days.

2 New Paragraph; Duties of the State Board of Education. Amend RSA 186:11 by inserting after paragraph XXXVII the following new paragraph:

XXXVIII. Civic and Career Technical Education. The state board of education shall develop and maintain rules pursuant to RSA 193:1-d civic and CTE events, such as testifying on legislation; serving on membership on statutory or executive New Hampshire youth advisory councils; and attending local government meetings or hearings, to count as alternative academic credit in public, public charter, and private secondary schools that serve as public schools under RSA 193:3, VII, including fulfillment of the civic education graduation requirement.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.