New Hampshire HB 1778: relative to prohibiting the use of personal identity ideology in public school instruction and policies.

Bill Text

HB 1778-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-3023

 12/09

HOUSE BILL 1778-FN

AN ACT relative to prohibiting the use of personal identity ideology in public school instruction and policies.

SPONSORS: Rep. Litchfield, Rock. 32; Rep. Nalevanko, Ches. 9; Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Rep. Thibault, Merr. 25; Rep. Freeman, Belk. 8; Rep. Mazur, Hills. 44; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16

COMMITTEE: Education Policy and Administration

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ANALYSIS

 This bill prohibits the teaching of personal identity ideology in schools. The bill also requires the state board of education to develop and implement policies related to the prohibition of teaching personal identity ideology.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-3023

 12/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to prohibiting the use of personal identity ideology in public school instruction and policies.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Section; Prohibition on Teaching Personal Identity Ideologies; Policy Requirements. Amend RSA 193 by inserting after section 40 the following new section:

 193:40-a Prohibition on Teaching Personal Identity Ideology.

 I. In this chapter "personal identity ideology" shall mean any approach or form of teaching that prioritizes personal identity characteristics over individual merit. Approaches or forms of teaching prohibited by RSA 186:72 relative to diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI) shall be included in the definition of personal identity ideology. 

 (a) Within this section, personal identity characteristics shall include one's race, color, biological sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or gender identity.

 II. Each school district and chartered public school shall develop and implement a policy that:

 (a) Establishes and maintains environments promoting the equality of opportunities for all students so they may succeed regardless of personal identity characteristics;

 (b) Prohibits use of personal identity ideology related curriculum or curriculum materials;

 (c) Prohibits conducting trainings, programs, professional development, or activities designed or implemented in reference to personal identity ideology; and 

 (d) Prohibits requiring any public school or public charter school employee, student, or parents of students to declare a gender identity or preferred pronouns in any form of communication.

 III. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit discussing, as part of a larger course of academic instruction, the historical existence of ideas and subjects identified in this subdivision.

 IV. Any person claiming to be aggrieved by a violation of this section, including the attorney general, may initiate a civil action against a school or school district in superior court for legal or equitable relief, or with the New Hampshire commission for human rights as provided in RSA 354-A:34.

 V. Violation of this section by an educator shall be considered a violation of the educator code of conduct that justifies disciplinary sanction by the state board of education.

 VI. For the purposes of this section, "educator" means a professional employee of any school district whose position requires certification by the state board pursuant to RSA 189:39. Administrators, specialists, and teachers are included within the definition of this term.

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.

 LBA

 26-3023

 Revised 12/30/25

HB 1778-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to prohibiting the use of personal identity ideology in public school instruction and policies.

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0

$100,000 to $500,000 Per Year

 Funding Source(s)

General Fund

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

 Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Local Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Local Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable

METHODOLOGY:

This bill, effective January 1, 2027, would require every school district and chartered public school to develop and implement policies prohibiting curriculum, training, programs, or materials that prioritize personal identity characteristics over individua