SB429

I think this is a sensible bill. It doesn't make sense to have to get approval from every parent to make a video of a sporting event, for example. This bill deals with that problem.

Please support this amendment adding an exception for video recording for journalism instruction, media production, or broadcasting courses. It's a common sense change that I urge you to support.

This amendment will help students and teachers by removing burdensome restrictions on coursework. This amendment would not be needed if more legislators had listened to testimony during the various parental bill of rights hearings and worked to solve the problems before passing the bill into law,

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. I would firstly like to thank my state representatives, Mike Edgar, Nick Bridle, Chris Muns, and Peggy Balboni for meeting with me in person to draft this amendment and address my concerns so swiftly. I’d also like to give a shout-out to our ELO department and Matt Long for helping provide school credit for my being here today. My name is Jack Hafey. I am currently a sophomore at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton. I wear many hats at the school including class president and Marine Corps JROTC Ops and Training Chief. I am speaking to you today as a Winnacunnet High School TV Senior Producer and ELO Student. I am here to voice my support for Amendment #2026-1351h to SB 429-FN-A. This amendment would edit the current New Hampshire Bill of Rights to allow for recording during school hours for news programs and for other instances where the school-approved curriculum requires it. This law is currently creating hurdles for our news program and many others like it around the state, and it undermines and hinders our ability to function properly. For example, any time I want to record an interview with a fellow student, I have to send them home with a permission slip for that specific instance of recording and have them return it before the interview takes place. For recording necessary parts of news stories such as B-Roll, it is impossible to get permission slips signed for students who we do not know will be in the video before the time of recording. I understand that the original purpose of this legislation was to protect the rights of parents, guardians, and students, and would like to address those concerned with this amendment today. To start, all of our interviews are voluntary in the first place. Students were never forced into giving WHTV their opinions or information. It was always voluntary. Next, I’ll address possible concerns of parents and guardians. Though I cannot speak for other schools, prior to the passing of this legislation, Hampton schools had opt-out policies for students or parents and guardians of students who wished to not be recorded. If this amendment were to pass, we would return to that system where opting out is still an option. As I have previously said, passing this amendment is a non-partisan cause that will allow students across New Hampshire to continue to build their journalism skills and exercise their first amendment right to the Freedom of the Press. Passing this amendment would return regulation of student media coverage to local school boards, which would allow for better case-by-case policy creation. For these reasons stated, I hope you consider your support for this amendment. Thank you.

This non-germane amendment to SB429 relates to the parents’ bill of rights enacted last year which prohibited, among other things, making audio or video recordings of students in public schools. This amendment seeks to add exemptions to the prohibition of audio or video recordings by permitting video recording for a number of certain specified reasons without parental consent.

Keep in mind that this adds a minor maintenance and inventory requirement to the schools as some of these items may have expiration dates and/or inspection requirements. North American Rescue is a good source for quality products and information.

Eleven thousand, five hundred shootings occurred within 500 yards of US schools in 2025. Thirty-one shootings occurred daily within or just beyond schoolyards last year. Given that New Hampshire has some of the most permissive pro-gun laws in the U.S., the least this legislature should do is provide as many trauma kits to public places, including public schools, along with adequate staff training, to initiate emergency care when the unthinkable, inevitable happens. Vote Ought to Pass on SB 429

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.