New Hampshire HB 131: establishing a commission on mental health education and behavioral health and wellness programs.

Bill Text

HB 131 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

7Jan2026... 3071h

04/16/2026 1396s

2025 SESSION

 25-0218

 02/05

HOUSE BILL 131

AN ACT relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention.

SPONSORS: Rep. Ladd, Graf. 5; Rep. Cordelli, Carr. 7; Rep. Drye, Sull. 7; Rep. Noble, Hills. 2; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7; Rep. Lynn, Rock. 17; Rep. Weyler, Rock. 14; Rep. Hill, Merr. 2; Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. S. Smith, Sull. 3; Sen. Ward, Dist 8

COMMITTEE: Education Policy and Administration 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill: 

 I. Requires the department of education to report the number of waivers granted for parental notification, number of waivers granted for investigation extensions, and the number of out-of-state cyberbullying cases reported and investigated.

 II. Requires anti-bullying procedure to be included in the student handbook and that alleged victims get a written copy of their rights, protections, and support services available to them.

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

7Jan2026... 3071h

04/16/2026 1396s 25-0218

 02/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention.

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

 1 Education; Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention. RSA 193-F:4 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows: 

 I. Bullying or cyberbullying shall occur when an action or communication as defined in RSA 193-F:3: 

 (a) Occurs on, or is delivered to, school property or a school-sponsored activity or event on or off school property; or

 (b) Occurs off of school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity or event, if the conduct interferes with a pupil's educational opportunities or substantially disrupts the orderly operations of the school or school-sponsored activity or event. 

 II. The school board of each school district and the board of trustees of a chartered public school and public academy shall, no later than 6 months after the effective date of this section, adopt a written policy prohibiting bullying and cyberbullying. Such policy shall include the definitions set forth in RSA 193-F:3. The policy shall contain, at a minimum, the following components: 

 (a) A statement prohibiting bullying or cyberbullying of a pupil.

 (b) A statement prohibiting retaliation or false accusations against a victim, witness, or anyone else who in good faith provides information about an act of bullying or cyberbullying and, at the time a report is made, a process for developing, as needed, a plan to protect pupils from retaliation.

 (c) A requirement that all pupils are protected regardless of their status under the law.

 (d) A statement that there shall be disciplinary consequences or interventions, or both, for a pupil who commits an act of bullying or cyberbullying, or falsely accuses another of the same as a means of retaliation or reprisal.

 (e) A statement indicating how the policy shall be made known to school employees, regular school volunteers, pupils, parents, legal guardians, or employees of a company under contract to a school, school district, or chartered public school. Methods of communication may include, but are not limited to, handbooks, websites, newsletters, and workshops.

 (f) A procedure for reporting bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation that identifies all persons to whom a pupil or another person may report bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation. The procedure shall be included in the student handbook. 

 (g) A procedure outlining the internal reporting requirements within the school or school district or chartered public school. 

 (h) A requirement that school staff members, coaches, and bus drivers report incidents of bullying to the school principal or other designee, as outlined in district reporting requirements. 

 (i) A procedure for notification, within 48 hours of the incident report, to the parent or parents or guardian of a victim of bullying or cyberbullying and the parent or parents or guardian of the perpetrator of the bullying or cyberbullying. The content of the notification shall comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g and the measures being taken to ensure the safety of the student who has been bullied and to prevent further acts of bullying. School officials will provide an alleged victim with a written copy of their rights, protections, and support services available.

 (j) A provision that the superintendent or designee may, within the 48-hour period, grant the school principal or de