New HampshireNew Hampshire schools require permission for some student questioning
Starting January 1, 2027, school boards must set rules for written parent permission before covered people question minors, with a limited exception for child welfare inquiries.
What it does
School boards and charter school trustees must adopt a policy requiring written parent or guardian permission for covered people to question minors. The policy must also ask adult students whether they want a parent or guardian notified and offer them a chance to have one present.
Parents and guardians may attend questioning and bring their own lawyer. If the student is an adult, the student must agree to a parent or guardian's presence.
Argument forParents could attend questioning and bring a lawyer, helping them support their children during a difficult conversation.
Argument againstThe written permission rule could delay some questioning while school staff wait for a parent or guardian to respond.
More detail
School boards and charter school trustees must adopt a policy that bars covered people from questioning a minor without written permission from a parent or guardian. The policy covers minor students questioned by non-school employees or by school employees who are attorneys, paralegals, or law enforcement officers. The rule covers people who are not school employees, including attorneys, paralegals, and law enforcement officers, as well as school employees in those professions. Those covered people may not be present when school employees question a minor without written parent or guardian permission. For a legitimate child welfare inquiry, the state child welfare division or law enforcement may question a minor without notifying a parent or guardian. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Parents and guardians may attend questioning and have their own lawyer present; they may also ask the superior court for a declaration of rights or other fair relief if the law is violated. These rights cover parents and guardians of minor students and, with the adult student's consent, parents and guardians of adult students. A parent or guardian may attend questioning of a minor student. For an adult student, a parent or guardian may attend only if the student agrees. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 20Enacted in accordance with Article 44 PartII of the N.H. Constitution without the signature of the governor. Chapter 340;eff. 01/01/2027Became Law
- Aug 19Notwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall HB 1267 Become Law: RC 24Y-0N, Veto Overridden by necessary two-thirds vote; 08/19/2026; SJ 15
- Vote recorded Veto Override. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded VETO MESSAGE - Roll Call Required. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 19Veto Overridden 08/19/2026: RC 311-6 by Required Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16 P. 25
- Jun 1Vetoed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 05/28/2026Major
- May 18Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147To Governor
- May 18Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13Minor
- Apr 16Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9Passed Senate
- Apr 9Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 14Minor
- Mar 10Hearing: 03/17/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 10:00 am; SC 10
- Feb 13Introduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 4Minor
- Feb 12Ought to Pass: MA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 2Passed House
- Feb 4Committee Report: Ought to Pass 01/29/2026 (Vote 16-1; CC) HC 6 P. 4Minor
- Feb 4Executive Session: 01/28/2026 11:00 am GP 232
- Jan 21Public Hearing: 01/28/2026 11:00 am GP 232
- 2025
- Dec 1Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 13Introduced
Education