Latest news with #ShermanPackard
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
What to know about the House and Senate parental rights bills
House Speaker Sherman Packard (center) is expected to bring forward a floor amendment to SB 72 on Thursday. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin) Thursday brings a major deadline: the final day in which the House and Senate can pass remaining legislation. And Republicans in both chambers will be pushing to achieve a long-sought priority and finally approve a 'parental bill of rights.' In past years, those votes have failed, often defeated by a handful of votes in the House. This week, the House and the Senate are considering two separate bills: House Bill 10 and Senate Bill 72. Each looks slightly different from past versions. Here's what to know. What are the bills intended to do? Supporters of the bills say they are meant to give parents a toolkit to assert control over their child's education in public schools. The laws outline a number of rights the parents have over that education. Many of those rights already exist in law, such as the right for a parent to choose whether to send their child to a charter school, private school, or to home school them; to learn about school disciplinary procedures and class curriculum; to opt their child out of sex education courses by providing alternative instruction; to receive a report card; to review medical records; and to exempt their child from immunization with a doctor's note or because of religious beliefs. Other provisions of the bills would be new. School boards would be required to develop policies to promote parental involvement in school around homework, attendance, and discipline. They would also be required to pass policies making it easy for parents to examine instructional materials and to withdraw their child from any lesson or material being taught. And the bills would clarify in law that 'no school may infringe on the fundamental rights of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of his or her minor child.' But the legislation has inspired fierce pushback from teachers and LGBTQ groups, who say it puts too many burdens on teachers and staff, and that it could force them to divulge to parents details about students' sexual orientation or gender identity against the students' will. Do this year's bills require teachers to tell parents about a student's sexual orientation or gender identity? Unlike past attempts at a parental bill of rights, this year's bills do not explicitly require school staff and teachers to divulge to inquiring parents details about their child's sexual orientation or gender identity. Some bills in the past have included that explicit language, sparking opposition from LGBTQ rights groups and driving some Republicans to vote against them on the House floor. But this year's versions of the legislation do include a catch-all phrase that opponents argue achieves a similar result. Language in a floor amendment to SB 72 expected to be brought forward by House Speaker Sherman Packard Thursday provides parents the right to 'inquire of the school or school personnel and promptly receive accurate, truthful, and complete disclosure regarding any and all matters related to their minor child, unless an immediate answer cannot be provided when the initial request is made.' If an immediate answer is not available, the school employee must provide one within 10 business days. The bill provides an exception to providing the information if there is a 'compelling state interest' against doing so, and it defines that interest as 'an actual and objectively reasonable belief, supported by clear and convincing evidence, that the infringement upon parental rights is necessary to prevent the child from being abused,' under the state's abuse laws. HB 10 includes similar language. Republicans say the requirement is necessary to prevent teachers from withholding information from parents and to allow parents full information about their children. Democrats and LGBTQ advocates say the requirement that the disclosure 'complete' could be difficult to follow, and that the standard that must be met to constitute a fear of abuse, 'clear and convincing,' is too high to meet in most situations. How would the bills affect health care services for students? While Republicans broadly support the parental bill of rights, they have disagreed over one key area: medical care for students. A version of SB 72 recommended by the House Children and Family Law Committee would have included language requiring parents to consent in writing before any biometric scans are conducted by a medical provider on a child, or before any DNA or blood is drawn. That version would also give parents the right 'to make health care decisions unless otherwise provided by law' and 'to be physically present at any health care facility providing care.' However, Democrats and advocates had raised concerns that the medical provisions would violate teenagers' health care and reproductive rights by impeding their ability to receive birth control and pre- and post-natal care without getting parental permission. And House Republican leadership appears aware: The floor amendment from Packard expected to be introduced on Thursday would strike those parental medical rights from the final bill. Meanwhile, both of this year's House and Senate versions of the bills include language to protect confidential conversations between children and counselors. Both bills protect school counselors, psychologists, nurses, or other health care providers from being required to disclose information about children to parents that 'was reasonably expected to be privileged.' What could be the consequences of noncompliance for schools or teachers? Past parental bill of rights legislation has made teachers personally accountable for failing to follow the law, in some cases opening teachers up to litigation or potential disciplinary action by the State Board of Education against their license. But this year, the House and Senate bills do not include direct consequences for teachers. The bills do provide that a parent who claims a violation may sue the school district for injunctive relief or for damages. What should be expected on Thursday? In their current versions, the two bills up for a vote Thursday — HB 10 in the Senate and SB 72 in the House — are largely identical. Both bills include parental rights over medical care that have attracted debate. But Packard's floor amendment, which removes those medical rights, would make SB 72 more moderate, and potentially more palatable for Gov. Kelly Ayotte to sign. Should the House Republican caucus vote to pass that floor amendment, as well as the underlying bill, SB 72 would return to the Senate, which would decide next week whether to accept the moderating changes and send the bill to Ayotte. But if conservative-leaning House Republicans join with Democrats to reject the floor amendment, SB 72 and HB 10 could head to the governor's office in their most robust form yet.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Speaker Packard gets out of local hospital after dizzy spell
House Speaker Sherman Packard, 76, was discharged from Concord Hospital Wednesday after he had spent the previous night for observation after he experienced a dizzy spell the previous morning across the street from the State House. The Londonderry Republican is serving in his 35th straight year representing Londonderry in the House of Representatives. 'Speaker Packard was experiencing unexplained dizziness yesterday at the Legislative Office Building and was taken to the hospital for observation out of an abundance of caution,' Packard's office said. 'He is doing very well, is in good spirits and would like to thank everyone who expressed concern and sent their well-wishes.' Before heading home for rest, officials said Packard addressed his staff, offered some advice and thanked them as well. 'He's the hardest working speaker I've ever seen here,' said Terry Pfaff, the Legislature's chief operating officer, a former House member and retired firefighter. 'He's always here and he never stops. 'I know he wasn't pleased being taken away in an ambulance, but like everyone in that experience, he looked and sounded so much better after a good night's rest.' The House of Representatives has a regular session Thursday, starting at 10 a.m. Packard has often relied upon Deputy Speaker Steve Smith, R-Charlestown, to preside over the House while he had appointments or, on occasion, to give him a break. Rep. Jim Kofalt, R-Wilton who Packard named as a special adviser earlier this year, has also wielded the gavel a bit during the 2025 session. klandrigan@
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The week ahead: 'Double sessions' as House, Senate staring at bill passing deadlines
Mar. 23—The New Hampshire House of Representatives will hold the first "double sessions" of 2025 as its leadership stares down at a fast-approaching deadline to dispatch of its own bills. This means a two-day talk-a-thon as the House works to get through a tall pile of hot-button issues from bans on mandatory mask policies and teaching discrimination in school to preventing minors from having breast surgeries, puberty blockers or a legal ride by a non-relative to get an abortion. The state Senate has only one session Thursday, but that one will be busy enough with an agenda that ranges from expanding education freedom accounts and legalizing slot machine gambling to moving the date of the state primary election. House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, told colleagues the good news is that if they plow through the massive calendar meeting this Wednesday and Thursday, it won't need a session the following week. The House and Senate have until Thursday to report on all bills that didn't have to go to a second committee, such as those that spend money or raise taxes or fees. Taking the following week off would give the House Finance Committee the running room it needs to complete work on its proposed, two-year spending plan that it must recommend by April 3. Gov. Kelly Ayotte has the spotlight to herself Tuesday morning when she signs a signature priority bill (HB 592) of hers, the significant rewrite of the 2018 bail reform law she dubbed a "failed social experiment." At long last, the House and Senate have completed public hearings on their nearly 1,000 bills and the state Senate has already tried to get a jump start on hearing some House ones. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will take up in rapid fire succession four pro-marijuana bills that have cleared the House, all of which face a very uncertain future in the upper chamber. They include legalizing cannabis for adults 21 or older (HB 75), annulling for anyone the criminal conviction for marijuana (HB 196) and permitting the adults receiving medical marijuana and their caregivers to grow their own "weed" plants (HB 53). The fourth deals in the sale of non-intoxicating, hemp-derived cannabinoids (HB 51). The Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday opens up testimony on one of the priorities when it comes to housing, that is legislation to expand the definition of an accessory dwelling unit typically on the property of a single-family house lot (HB 577). Both chambers will tackle EFAs with the Senate expected to give final approval to its bill (SB 295) to allow parents of any income to receive one, but to cap the annual enrollment at 10,000 students which is roughly double the current census in the program. The House will debate a bill from the opposition view to outlaw EFAs going to religious schools (HB 549). Studies have revealed nearly 90% of the $27 million spent annually on EFAs goes for tuition to Christian-affiliated schools. The Republican-led House is expected to kill that one. Both bills deal with tougher absentee ballot access bills They each also will take up bills to stiffen requirements to obtain an absentee ballot. The House Election Laws Committee embraced an amended bill (HB 217) to compel those getting an absentee to first show proof of U.S. citizenship. Senate Republicans want to require someone first show a photo ID to get an absentee ballot as they must do to vote at the polls (SB 287). House Democrats will try to revive their bill (HB 385) to do away with a 2024 reform law former Gov. Chris Sununu signed to get rid of exemptions to that Voter ID law that allowed voters to cast a ballot by signing an affidavit even if they lacked the proper paperwork to prove local residency. In 2024, Sununu vetoed a bill that would have banned mandatory mask wearing policies in public schools; the House will be asked to pass that bill (HB 361) and see if Gov. Ayotte feels differently about it. Last week, the House passed a bill to allow for the segregation of restrooms, locker rooms, sports teams and jails by members of the same biological sex (HB 148). This week, the state Senate takes up its own legislation on the topic (SB 38). Sununu had vetoed this one as well last year. A federal court last year struck down as unconstitutionally vague a 2021 ban on teaching discrimination in public schools, a shot at critical race theory and like subjects. Rep. Glenn Cordelli, R-Tuftonboro, will ask the House to embrace his bill (HB 50) that adds more specific language to that law in hopes of reviving its application throughout public schools. Democratic critics say there's no legal way to resurrect this issue. The House and Senate each are expected to endorse their own separate bills (HB 481 and SB 222) to move the state primary election up three months, from September to June. klandrigan@
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The week ahead: Social issues will dominate action at State House
Mar. 16—Social issues will dominate sessions of both the House of Representatives and the state Senate this week with parental rights, abortion and assisted suicide bills all facing key test votes. After 10 weeks of public hearings, House and Senate policy committees have nearly finished taking initial testimony on more than 1,000 bills filed for the 2025 session. The committees will spend much of their time this week holding executive sessions in public to make recommendations on the remaining bills. The House and Senate both have until mid-April to finish their own work. Parental rights On Thursday, House and Senate Republicans will advance their parental rights bills for a vote. House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, sponsored the House version (HB 10), which the House Children and Family Law Committee amended and brings forward to the full House. Rep. Debra DeSimone, R-Atkinson, said 18 states have adopted similar legislation. "This bill establishes a framework regarding education and care of parents' minor un-emancipated children. It ensures that parents are informed about their children's health and well-being and education while in school custody," DeSimone said. Rep. Heather Raymond, D-Nashua, said the bill's aim is laudable but it creates unforeseen consequences for professional caregivers. "It creates criminal penalties for medical providers and requires written permission before doctors can treat children," Raymond said. "Currently, parents can provide verbal consent for routine services like prescription refills. This bill will end that practice." Sen. Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton, sponsored the Senate bill (SB 72). Abortion House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson of Exeter authored a resolution (HCR 7) that would declare that a woman has an affirmative right to an abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. The House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee voted, 10-8, to recommend rejecting this proposal. "Singling out abortion as a critical component of reproductive health care while ignoring other pressing medical issues affecting women creates a narrow and politicized approach to women's health," said Rep. Lisa Mazur, R-Goffstown. Assisted suicide A bill to legalize the right of a terminally ill adults to obtain medication to end his or her life comes to the House Thursday with a positive recommendation. Last year, an evenly divided House narrowly passed a similar bill to this one (HB 254). A few weeks later, the Senate rejected the measure. With more Republicans in the House following last November's election, it could be more difficult for the legislation to clear that chamber. Risk management programs The Senate will also vote on legislation sought by Secretary of State David Scanlan to give his office more enforcement over the pooled risk management programs that provide health or property and casualty insurance for local and county governments (SB 297). Scanlan said two of the programs came close to financial collapse and the changes would help keep them solvent in the future. Administrators of one of those programs, Health Trust, strongly oppose the legislation as an unnecessary power grab. Health Trust is by far the biggest risk management group, offering coverage to more than 250 cities, towns and school districts. Landfills The House will also vote on a bill to create a three-year moratorium on any new landfills (HB 171). Last month, Gov. Kelly Ayotte in her two-year state budget plan proposed a one-year pause on granting state landfill permits. On Wednesday, a Senate committee will hear testimony on two bills from Senate Democratic Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka that would seek reports on the state impact of Trump administration proposals. One, (SB 303), deals with the potential elimination of the federal Department of Education and the other report, (SB 304), would be on the impact of raising U.S. tariffs on Canada. klandrigan@
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The week ahead: No sessions for Legislature but plenty of committee work
Feb. 23—The New Hampshire House of Representatives and state Senate are forgoing sessions this week when most public schools are on vacation, but there's no rest for the weary as seven House committees will meet to take testimony on some bills and try to finish recommendations on others. Senate President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, gave her 23 colleagues the entire week off. This allows them to recharge batteries and return for a month of frenzied action by mid-April when all Senate bills must head over to the House, be killed or get sent back to committee until 2026. House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, decided to give all committee chairs the option of working through the break. With more than 1,000 bills in the hopper this year, several chairs decided they had to bring back their members to the State House at least one day this last week of February. For example, the House Election Laws Committee on Tuesday will hold more than six hours of public hearings on 16 bills. These include the bipartisan move by Chairman and state Rep. Ross Berry, R-Weare, and Rep. Kris Schultz, D-Nashua, to move the state primary election from September to June (HB 481). Rep. Tim Horrigan, D-Durham, will get to present his alternative to move the primary ahead only a few weeks to the fourth week in August (HB 408). In recent years, the GOP-led House and state Senate have passed separate bills to move the primary but were unable to agree on the date. Secretary of State David Scanlan said the current primary, one of the latest in the country, makes it difficult for the state to meet a federal law requirement to send out ballots at least 45 days before the vote to those living or serving in the military abroad. Rep. Connie Lane, D-Concord and the ranking Democrat on the elections panel, will promote her bill (HB 363) to set into state law criteria to cover all future redistricting efforts. Rep. Heath Howard, D-Barrington, is offering a proposed amendment to the state Constitution (CACR 2) that would prohibit the practice of gerrymandering, using the task of redrawing election districts to benefit one political party. House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee Chairman Terry Roy, R-Deerfield, is bringing his panel back to make recommendations on two priority bills. Gov. Kelly Ayotte supports one that would further repeal aspects of a 2019 bail reform law that allowed those accused of violent offenses to be released without having to see a judge (HB 592). The other would have New Hampshire join 47 other states that share with the federal criminal background check system court records when a judge orders guns be taken away from someone who is judged to be a risk to themselves or others usually due to his or her commitment to a mental hospital (HB 159). Exec Council, DWI roundtable also coming up The Executive Council and Ayotte also meet on Wednesday to tackle an agenda of more than 100 contracts. Vets Securing America Inc., a law enforcement staffing company based in San Antonio, Texas, was the recommended choice from among four firms for a $3.1 million contract to assist the campus security police force at New Hampshire Hospital in Concord. Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn convened a working group that made this recommendation after a former patient shot and killed security officer and retired Franklin Police Chief Bradley Haas in November 2023. Driving concerns Later Wednesday afternoon, Councilor John Stephen, R-Manchester, will convene a roundtable that will talk about how state, county and local law enforcement are dealing with cases of suspected drugged or drunken driving in the state. The Division of Motor Vehicles auditorium in Concord will host Stephen's meeting. The House Finance Committee will hold work sessions on the next two-year state budget over three days, with several agencies including the Justice, Administrative Services, Fish and Game, Transportation, Safety and the Business and Economic Affairs Departments. Rep. Diane Pauer, R-Brookline, will get to present her bill (HB 200) to raise the bar for a city or town council to override a local tax cap. The current law allows an override by as little as a simple majority; Pauer's bill would set a minimum, 60% supermajority to spend more than allowed under an existing cap. Rep. Diane Kelley, R-Temple, is asking the House Municipal and County Government to support her enabling bill (HB 501) to allow a local community to deny the siting of 5G cellular towers. klandrigan@
