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.

HB 1561-FN - AS INTRODUCEDAMENDED SESSIONBY 26-2349THE 12/09 HOUSE BILL11Mar2026... 1561-FN AN ACT prohibiting nationals of the People's Republic of China from attending state institutions of higher education.

0797h 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.

Education Funding ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill prohibits nationals of the People's Republic of China from attendingenrolling statein 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 violatingengaging thein prohibition.such prohibited activities.

HB 1561-FN - AS INTRODUCEDAMENDED 26-2349BY 12/09THE STATEHOUSE OF11Mar2026... NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT prohibiting nationals of the People's Republic of China from attending state institutions of higher education.

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.

1 ShortNew Title.Section;

This act shall be known as the "New Hampshire Higher Education Security Act".

2 Statement of Findings and Purpose.

The general court finds that nationals of the People's Republic of China (PRC) who are not U.S.

citizens pose a presumptive risk of hostile action through asymmetric warfare perpetrated by the Chinese communist government against the United States of America, and an existential threat to New Hampshire and its citizenry, including through espionage, intellectual property theft, technology transfer, and chemical, biological and cyber terrorism and warfare via affiliation with higher education institutions.

These nationals pose a hostile risk to critical infrastructure, supply chains, agriculture, and the lives and livelihoods of Granite Staters.

The purpose of this act is to protect national security while providing due process.

3 New Section;

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

(c) "Attendance""Prohibited activity" means theenrollment in-personas ora virtualstudent enrollmentin as a student,master's or doctorate degree program, participation in research, employment, or accessfull-time toemployment campusat facilitiesa beyond public events.institution of higher education.

II.(a)II. All higher educations institutions shall be prohibited from:

(1)All Permittinghigher theeducation attendanceinstitutions ofshall anot: PRC national, as defined in RSA 187-A:10-b, I(a).

(2)(a) EnteringPermit intoa partnerships,PRC grants,national orto researchparticipate collaborationsin witha entitiesprohibited affiliatedactivity. with the PRC government.

(b) AllEnter higherinto educationany institutionspartnerships, shallgrants, beor requiredresearch tocollaborations obtainwith notarizedentities affidavitsaffiliated fromwith allthe applicants and current students attesting they are not a PRC national.government.

SuchIII. affidavits shall be filed with the department of education within 5 business days of receipt or renewal.

HBPRC 1561-FNnationals -engaged ASin INTRODUCEDa -prohibited Pageactivity 2shall -have III.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.

IndividualsRefusal qualifyingby asthe "PRCindividual nationals"to aswithdraw definedwithin in RSA 187-A:10-b, I(a), shall have 90 days following the effective date of this act toshall voluntarilyresult withdrawin from the higherassessment educationof institutiona whichpenalty theyas attend,established duringin whichRSA time187-A:10-b, theyIV(b) mayand retainshall theircreate transcriptsa andpresumption academicof creditshostile previouslyintent, attained.which shall result in:

Refusal by the individual to withdraw within 90 days following the effective date of this act shall result in the assessment of a penalty established in RSA 187-A:10-b, IV(c) and shall create a presumption of hostile intent, which shall result in:

(c) The institution of higher education being fined $1,000 per dayweek for failingfailure to actact, where such institution had knowledge of the PRC national being enrolled or present on campus, to be assessed by the attorney general.

HB 1561-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE - Page 2 - IV.

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

(a) For violations by higher education institutions, the attorney general shall fine the higher education institution $100,000 for each violation and may refer such violation to the state treasurer to assess whether said institution shall be also deprived of any state funding.

42 Effective Date.