SB 531-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2112
12/09
SENATE BILL 531-FN
SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Rep. Korzen, Coos 7; Rep. Cornell, Hills. 22
COMMITTEE: Education
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a task force to report on the feasibility of creating a cosmetology program within the Berlin Regional Career & Technical Center and New Hampshire community college system.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2112
12/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Berlin Cosmetology Program Task Force. Amend RSA 188-E by inserting after section 5 the following new section:
188-E:5-a Berlin Cosmetology Program Task Force.
I. There is established a Berlin cosmetology program task force.
II. The members of the task force shall be as follows:
(a) A representative from the department of education, appointed by the commissioner of the department of education, who shall serve as chair of the task force.
(b) A representative of White Mountain Community College.
(c) A representative of the chancellor of the community college system of New Hampshire (CCSNH).
(d) The superintendent of school administrative unit 3, or designee.
(e) The director of the Berlin Regional Career & Technical Center.
(f) A cosmetology teacher from a career and technical education center that offers a full program, appointed by the commissioner of the department of education.
III. The task force shall report on the feasibility of the creation of cosmetology-related programming in northern New Hampshire, such as the potential of establishing a cosmetology program jointly housed and staffed by White Mountain Community College and the Berlin Regional Career & Technical Center, including but not limited to:
(a) Needs and opportunities in cosmetology education and employment in the north country;
(b) Staffing, space, and funding needs for a program leading to licensing of graduates;
(c) Co-location and joint staffing opportunities for a program with CCSNH and Berlin Career & Technical Center, dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities, and the feasibility of serving students from other high schools;
(d) Consideration of inclusion of a salon facility serving the public;
(e) Sources of funding for construction, renovation, and equipment; and
(f) Feasibility of establishing a program by September 1, 2027.
IV. The task force shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the governor, chancellor of CCSNH, commissioner of education, Berlin school board, speaker of the house of representatives, president of the senate, the chairs of committees whose responsibilities include education and workforce training, and the state library, on or before June 1, 2027.
V. The department of education may devote Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act funding to any costs associated with the study.
2 Designation of Regional Centers and Program. Amend RSA 188-E:1 to read as follows:
188-E:1 Designation of Regional Centers and Programs. The commissioner, department of education, is hereby authorized and directed to designate high schools, and public academies as defined in RSA 194:23, II, offering career and technical education programs as career and technical education centers. In instances where it is educationally and economically feasible to do so, the commissioner may designate individual career and technical education programs in other than the career and technical education centers as regional programs. This may include programs located on community college system of New Hampshire (CCSNH) campuses and programs jointly established by CCSNH and career and technical education centers. An out-of-state school or program may be designated, when it is in the best interest of the state, as a part of the New Hampshire regional career and technical education plan.
3 Prospective Repeal. RSA 188-E:5-a, relative to the Berlin cosmetology program task force, is repealed.
I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect June 30, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
26-2112
Revised 1/6/26
SB 531-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | Under $10,000 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill establishes a task force to report on the feasibility of creating a cosmetology program within the Berlin Regional Career & Technical Center and New Hampshire Community College System, and allows for the Department of Education to utilize Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act funding to cover any costs associated with the study. The Department states this would not be an allowable use of such funds. The Department estimates its costs associated with supporting the task force would be under $10,000.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 20, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote |
Feb. 5, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass; Vote 5-0; CC SC 6
Dec. 11, 2025: Hearing: 01/20/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:45 am; SC 46
Dec. 11, 2025: ==CANCELLED== Hearing: 01/13/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:30 am; SC 45
Nov. 24, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1