Parental Rights Recap: Common Sense Team Takes Critical Issues Directly to Hollis Voters

Our Common Sense Team held another insightful Community Conversation at the Lawrence Barn, continuing our effort to bring important issues directly to Hollis voters and inviting meaningful dialogue. This session focused on Parental Rights, building on our previous discussions surrounding the NH Abortion Law and border challenges. We're proud to be the one campaign directly bringing these important state-level issues to Hollis voters and asking for your feedback.

During Saturday’s event, we had a detailed discussion on House Bill 1312-Parental Notification, concerns surrounding the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) “opt-out” status, and Senate Bill 272 – Parental Bill of Rights in Education. The attendance of two school board members added valuable insight, providing greater context to our conversation. Their contributions helped clarify many of the challenges faced by schools and parents alike.

The discussion was respectful and productive, with participants engaging thoughtfully on issues critical to both education and parental involvement. These conversations are essential in shaping policy decisions that affect our children, schools, and families. We appreciate everyone who attended and shared their perspectives. Handouts from the event can be found below.

Highlights from the Agenda

House Bill 1312- Parental notification of student health or well-being and certain curricula by school districts.

• Enacted into law on July 19, 2024, it requires school districts to notify parents two weeks before introducing materials related to sexuality, gender identity, or human sexual education.

• This law also protects parents' privacy, ensuring that objections to curriculum materials are not made public.

• Schools may withhold information from parents if there is a credible risk of abuse, abandonment, or neglect under NH law.

  
  

Note: HB1312 passed in the House by a vote of 186-180. Hollis Representatives Ming, McGhee, and Calabro did not vote for this bill.

• Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS):

  • YRBS collects non-academic data from students on sensitive topics like mental health, drug use, and sexual activity.

  • Parents currently must opt-out if they don't want their child to participate. However, we discussed the importance of shifting to an opt-in policy to uphold parental control over sensitive matters.

  • We emphasized that the same standards for parental consent required by licensed professionals should apply to schools administering these surveys.

    
    

• Senate Bill 272 – Parental Bill of Rights in Education:

  • This proposed Senate bill would have affirmed the fundamental role of parents in their children's education and access to information, ensuring transparency and involvement in key decisions about health, behavior, and educational content.

  • The bill has garnered mixed responses, with broad support from households with children but facing opposition based on concerns about school funding and administrative challenges.

    
    

• Child Abuse Reporting Requirements:

  • We revisited the NH mandatory reporting law (RSA 169-C:29), clarifying that it remains in effect despite any new parental notification policies. Schools continue to have a duty to report suspected abuse and can withhold information from parents if there is a credible belief that disclosure could cause harm.

Handouts:

Community Presentation on Parental Rights in Education.pdf

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