By GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD — Prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory or LGBTQ+ ideologies and other alleged Marxist derived educational theories in public schools was initially approved by the House Thursday.
House Bill 1792 would allow anyone who believes the law was violated to bring a civil suit against the school and educators, as well as file code of conduct allegations against the teacher, which could result in loss of license.
The bill’s content is similar to bills passed over the past few years that the U.S. District Court has struck down on critical race theory or divisive concepts, and outlawing diversity, equality and inclusion programs, calling them overly vague, thus putting educators in harm’s way.
The bill was approved 184-164 and now goes to the Senate.
Supporters of the bill said public schools have moved away from fundamentals like reading, writing, history, math and science and have become indoctrination centers.
“Right now, you and I fund with our tax dollars (so that) children are subjected to critical race theory and radical gender ideology, not as a mere topic of discussion, but as doctrine, as gospel, as the very price of admission to participate in public education,” said House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, R-Auburn.
But opponents of the bill said students are being taught to ask hard questions and think deeply, and are not being indoctrinated.
The bill would lead to future litigation that would divert more property taxpayer money away from classrooms when schools and communities struggle under unsustainable property taxes, supporters argued.
They also said the bill violates the first amendment and due process rights for educators and students.
“This undermines local control where school boards have long had control over curriculum,” said Rep. Loren Selig, D-Durham, “and it is an attempt to micromanage classroom speech from the State House with (partisan talking points).”
Selig said, like the other bills found unconstitutional, the measure is too vague and hard to follow, and not clear and concise, which puts educators at risk.
“Questioning government policy is not unpatriotic,” Selig said. “Students deserve schools where they are taught to think, not what to think.”
The prime sponsor of the bill, Rep. Mike Belcher, R-Wakefield, said the bill aims to “reorient public education towards American ethics, patriotism, and republican government and curb indoctrination into revolutionary, divisive ideologies, critical theories, violations of civil rights law and bias, and violations of the inherent and inalienable right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.”
Belcher named the bill after far-right activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in Utah last year.
The federal court Wednesday released its decision blocking enforcement of President Donald Trump’s executive order to forbid schools from diversity, equity and inclusion programs after the federal U.S. Department of Education dropped its objection to a New Hampshire legal challenge initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union NH, the National Education Association NH and others.
The bill was sent to the House Finance Committee for review before a final vote in the House, but the committee chair waived review.
Special Education Formula
The House gave initial approval to a bill that would overhaul the state formula for special-education costs.
Currently, the state pays about $120 million annually, while the federal government pays $50 million and local property taxpayers carry the bulk of the cost at $809 million.
Supporters of the change said the current arrangement is unsustainable due to the over reliance on local property taxes.
The current law has the state kick in extra money when the cost of special-education services for a student reaches $70,000, or 3.5 times the average per-pupil costs.
But the state has generally not appropriated enough money and state aid has been prorated.
The federal government promised to provide 40 percent of the cost under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act but this year is paying about 6 percent, down from 10 percent a year ago.
Under the new plan, state aid would kick in when special-education services reach $50,000 with a sliding scale and then tick up at $60,000, and then the state would pay the full cost past $200,000.
The bill, which passed on a voice vote, goes to the House Finance Committee for review before a final vote.
The House also passed a bill that would make special-education students eligible for the free and reduced lunch program.
Other Education
The House defeated three bills that would have increased state aid for the education funding system either through raising the rate of the Statewide Education Property Tax or through a change in the distribution formula of state taxes to the Education Trust Fund.
The House killed a bill that would have removed a cap on what is paid out of the trust fund for Manchester, which would lose about $10 million a year unless the cap is removed.
The House also killed a bill that would have prohibited students from receiving scholarships from both the Education Freedom Account program, and the Business Education Tax Credit program in a school year.
Those supporting the ban said the 1,000 students with dual grants receive from $8,000 to $10,000, while public school students receive a little over $4,000 in state adequacy aid.
The House also killed a bill that would have established a grant program for students with developmental disabilities attending post secondary institutions.
Motor Voter
The House gave initial approval to House Bill 1600, which would allow the secretary of state’s office, as well as town clerks, to access Motor Vehicle information like proof of citizenship given when a person applies or renews a driver’s license, but is also needed to register to vote.
The bill was sent to the House Finance Committee for review before a final vote.
Backing Off
The House decided to reverse course after 30 years of prohibiting electric utilities from owning generating plants.
House Bill 1775 would allow state utilities to own natural gas and nuclear generating plants.
The bill was sent to the House Finance Committee for review before a final vote.
Judicial Review
House Bill 1130 would change the state’s judicial review system by requiring judges to have peer review, as well as surveys and comments from those using the system.
The bill also would require annual reviews instead of the three-year span now in place and would make the reviews public with the judge’s name.
What will not be published are people’s comments who went through the court system.
The bill was sent to the House Finance Committee for review before a final vote.
Massage Parlors
The House gave initial approval to two bills that would regulate massage parlors and similar businesses through House Bills 1458 and 1469.
Supporters said the bills attempt to end the sex trafficking of individuals up and down the East Coast and to require identification of shop owners who are often “ghosts,” making it difficult to hold anyone accountable.
The bill was sent to the House Finance Committee for review before a final vote.
EMS Fund
The House passed House Bill 1705, overturning a committee recommendation to kill the measure, which would establish an employee assistance program for small towns and volunteer Emergency Medical Services workers.
The bill was sent to the House Finance Committee for review before a final vote.
Natural Decay
The House approved House Bill 1457, which would allow for the natural organic reduction of human remains and would establish rules.
The bill is based on the current cremation laws and regulations.
Garry Rayno may be reached at garry.rayno@yahoo.com.