NH House Testimony

SB210

Senate · 2025 sessionDemocraticDied in Senate

Bullying prevention and school choice

AI

Amends the definition of negligence for bullying and cyberbullying, requires reporting on waiver and cyberbullying case data, mandates antibullying procedures in student handbooks, and allows parents to enroll children in schools outside their resident district.

(Second New Title) relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention and relative to allowing parents to send their children to any school district they choose.

Education - GeneralChildren

Status

Died — the House and Senate did not agree · June 12, 2025
  1. Introduced
  2. Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

120 submissions
Support 61Oppose 58Neutral 1
Debrah HowesOpposeBow, NHfor AFT-NHflagged non-germaneMay 27, 2025

The non-gemane amendment does not contain a definition of bullying. It does not apply to all students. It does not cover students in non-public schools, home schooled students or students in non-traditional settings under the school voucher program. All of thsoe students may be victims or perpetrators in "cross district" bullying. On Page 1, line 25 the amendment states "(c) A requirement that all pupils are protected regardless of their status under the law." What is intended by this? How would it not be possible for all sutdents to be protected from bullying? Why does this even need to be stated? This amendment requires punishment for students who make false accusations. It does not make any distinction between a knowlinly false accusation, as a malicious act, and an inadvertent false accusation due to genuine belief by a student or misunderstanding. This amendment needs more work and should not replace the bipartisan study committee that the original bill proposed.

Eileen FlockhartOpposeExeter, NHfor Myselfflagged non-germaneMay 27, 2025

As an educator I oppose this non-germane ammendment

Karen BemisOpposeBristol, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

This bill adds language requiring school boards to adopt specific policies relative to bullying that have not been fully analyzed.

Ann YenchickOpposeNorth Hampton, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

The bill is being rushed, without clear language or definition.

Martha Jane RichOpposeEnfield, NHfor Myselfflagged non-germaneMay 27, 2025

The language of this bill should have more consideration. I'm a former public school administrator and know how valuable the guidance of a good policy on bullying and harassment can be. Please make sure this one is carefully defined to serve everyone attending and working in our schools.

Ian RogersOpposeWarner, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

I'm uncomfortable with some of the language used in this proposal, and skeptical of why this issue was proposed. Bullying is a nonpartisan issue -- let's not use it as a way of placing further restrictions on schools and teachers.

Carrie NavaroliSupportHollis, NHfor MyselfApr 23, 2025

Given that bullying is still costing lives, even after it being addressed by faculty - more needs to be done to support children.

Krystal WinslowSupportManchester, NHfor MyselfApr 23, 2025

Bullying needs to be addressed my son a student who is a student in middle school at Parkside in Manchester has been assaulted 3 times this school year by kids in the same friend group. There hasn’t been much action by the school other than to change my son’s classes.

Moira RyanNeutralLONDONDERRY, NH, NHfor MyselfApr 7, 2025

Where are the parents on this committee? Those most deeply impacted don't have a seat at the table and many have to move their kid to a different school to get it to stop. The schools only really have to have a policy in place with no follow up and no results! What kind of craziness is that? We have to stop the lack of consequences for those who don't follow the rules. After all, if the rules are meaningless, why bother?

Cynthia VascakSupportCampton, NHfor MyselfApr 7, 2025

School bullying is an overwhelmingly disastrous issue that is, unfortunately, growing and our children are suffering.

Charles CarlsonSupportPeterborough, NHfor MyselfApr 7, 2025

Find a way to reduce or eliminate bullying in schools.

Anne EisemanOpposeDurham, NHfor MyselfApr 7, 2025

I support creating a study committee to study the issue of school bullying

Amy TraftonSupportDurham, NHfor MyselfApr 7, 2025

I am in support of this bill regarding establishing a committe to study school bullying.

Krista ButtsSupportLee, NHfor MyselfApr 7, 2025

This is a bill worthy of support. All students should feel like they have a safe learning space to go to during the day. As an educator, I fiercely believe that this bill is needed and welcome.

Deborah FexisOpposeNOTTINGHAM, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Shaw TiltonOpposeKingston, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Vani ThilagarOpposeHollis, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Deborah ReynoldsOpposePlymouth, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Karen MitchellOpposeMont Vernon, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Sarat RogersOpposeMont Vernon, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Pat GruttemeyerOpposeHopkinton, NHfor Myselfflagged non-germaneMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Carol LenahanOpposeCampton, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Penny DicksonOpposeMont Vernon, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Gary McCoolOpposeRumney, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Kate BurbidgeOpposeLondonderry, NHfor MyselfMay 27, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.