New Hampshire HB 1561: prohibiting nationals of the People's Republic of China from enrollment in masters and doctorate degree programs, participation in research, and full time employment at public institutions of higher education.

Bill Text

HB 1561-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

11Mar2026... 0797h

2026 SESSION

 26-2349

 12/09

HOUSE BILL 1561-FN

AN ACT prohibiting nationals of the People's Republic of China from enrollment in masters and doctorate degree programs, participation in research, and full time employment at public institutions of higher education.

SPONSORS: Rep. Belcher, Carr. 4; Rep. Perez, Rock. 16; Rep. Sirois, Hills. 32; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7; Rep. Corcoran, Hills. 28

COMMITTEE: Education Funding

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill prohibits nationals of the People's Republic of China from enrolling in masters and doctorate degree programs, participation in research, and full time employment at public institutions of higher education. The bill also establishes penalties for individuals and institutions engaging in such prohibited activities.

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11Mar2026... 0797h 26-2349

 12/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT prohibiting nationals of the People's Republic of China from enrollment in masters and doctorate degree programs, participation in research, and full time employment at public institutions of higher education.

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

 1 New Section; PRC Nationals; Admission Prohibited. Amend RSA 187-A by inserting after section 10-a the following new section: 

 187-A:10-b PRC Nationals; Admission Prohibited. 

 I. For the purposes of this section: 

 (a) "PRC national" means any citizen or agent of the People's Republic of China (PRC) who is not a U.S. citizen, including but not limited to those with direct and compromising ties to the PRC, such as employment by PRC state-owned enterprises, membership in the Chinese Communist Party, financial links to the PRC government, pledged allegiance to PRC leaders, or acting on orders originating from the PRC government. 

 (b) "Higher education institutions" means any public college or university in New Hampshire that is accredited by the state. 

 (c) "Prohibited activity" means enrollment as a student in a master's or doctorate degree program, participation in research, or full-time employment at a public institution of higher education. 

 II. All higher education institutions shall not: 

 (a) Permit a PRC national to participate in a prohibited activity. 

 (b) Enter into any partnerships, grants, or research collaborations with entities affiliated with the PRC government. 

 III. PRC nationals engaged in a prohibited activity shall have 90 days following the effective date of this act to voluntarily withdraw from the higher education institution which they attend, during which time they may retain their transcripts and academic credits previously attained. Refusal by the individual to withdraw within 90 days following the effective date of this act shall result in the assessment of a penalty as established in RSA 187-A:10-b, IV(b) and shall create a presumption of hostile intent, which shall result in: 

 (a) Mandatory expulsion from the institution of higher education. 

 (b) Referral to the relevant federal authorities for potential visa revocation. 

 (c) The institution of higher education being fined $1,000 per week for failure to act, to be assessed by the attorney general. 

 IV. The attorney general shall enforce this act by assessing the following penalties for violations of RSA 187-A:10-b, II or RSA 187-A:10-b, III: 

 (a) For violations by higher education institutions, the attorney general may refer such violation to the state treasurer to assess whether said institution shall be deprived of any state funding. Serial violations or noncooperation by higher education institutions may result in the attorney general recommending revocation or suspension of state accreditation, in addition to any fines and losses of state funding. 

 (b) Violations by individuals qualifying as PRC nationals shall be a class A misdemeanor, and the attorney general may refer said individual to the Department of Homeland Security. Referral to the Department of Homeland Security may lead to deportation proceedings. 

 (c) Violations by any faculty or staff employed by a higher education institution shall be a class A misdemeanor.

 V. Any person or organization providing actionable information to the secretary of state's office regarding a violation of RSA 187-A:10-b, II or RSA 187-A:10-b, III shall be entitled to receive 10 percent of any recovered funds, including reclaimed tuition or fines, paid from the general fund. 

 VI. The attorney