New Hampshire Enacts Universal School Choice and Parental Rights Legislation
By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter
Thursday, June 12, 2025
New Hampshire has made significant strides in educational reform by passing a universal school choice bill and a parental bill of rights, signed into law by Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte on Tuesday. The new legislation aims to enhance parental control over their children’s education, allowing parents to opt their children out of sex education classes.
House Bill 10 establishes a comprehensive parental bill of rights, which mandates that schools cannot infringe on parental rights regarding their children’s upbringing without a compelling state interest. Under this law, parents can now opt out of health or sex education, and schools are required to develop procedures for parents to object to educational materials they find objectionable.
Ayotte emphasized the importance of allowing parents to choose educational settings that best meet their children’s needs, stating, "I’m proud to sign this into law today along with the Parental Bill of Rights, which ensures parents are the central voice in their children’s education."
Senate Bill 295 expands the Education Freedom Accounts, enabling all students, regardless of household income, to access funds for private or non-public schooling expenses. This measure caps enrollment in these accounts at 10,000 annually and has been positioned as a way to provide families with greater educational options.
While conservatives have lauded these initiatives, critics, particularly from the Democratic Party, argue that they divert essential resources from public schools. Democratic Rep. David Meuse warned of the financial implications for taxpayers, asserting that the legislation could escalate taxpayer obligations significantly.
New Hampshire’s reforms echo similar movements in states like Texas and Idaho, as part of a broader trend toward expanding school choice across the nation.
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