New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 9 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 1573 — permitting excused absences for student participation in certain activities and mandating the state board of education to grant school reassignment requests for students demonstrating a manifest educational hardship

Last action — Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 307; eff. I. Secs 1.2.5.6 eff prov sec 7 II. Rem eff 7/10/2026

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 10, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on July 16, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (9 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill allows excused absences for students participating in certain activities and mandates school reassignment for educational hardships.

This bill permits students to have excused absences when participating in specific activities and requires the state board of education to approve school reassignment requests for students facing serious educational challenges. It aims to support student involvement in activities while addressing educational hardships.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This may affect workers who need to manage their children's school schedules due to excused absences.
  • Families: This means families of students can seek excused absences for participation in important activities.

Summary

(New Title) permitting excused absences for student participation in certain activities and mandating the state board of education to grant school reassignment requests for students demonstrating a manifest educational hardship

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

143 added · 143 removed

Plain-language change summary

The final version of Bill HB 1573 allows students to have up to two excused absences each academic year specifically for participating in civic engagement and career or technical education (CTE) activities. Additionally, it clarifies the types of activities that qualify for these excused absences, such as competitions and job shadowing. These changes are important because they support students' involvement in valuable educational and workforce experiences while ensuring that their regular school attendance is recognized and accommodated.

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Previous
Latest
HB 1573 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 5Mar2026...
CHAPTER 307 HB 1573 - FINAL VERSION 5Mar2026...
HB 1573 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 5Mar2026...
CHAPTER 307 HB 1573 - FINAL VERSION 5Mar2026...
1 New Section;
307:1 New Section;
or (2) Any educational program, competition, or award ceremony sponsored or hosted by a patriotic or national organization, listed in 36 U.S.C., Subtitle II, Part B.
or (2) Any educational program, competition, or award ceremony sponsored or hosted by a patriotic or national organization, listed in 36 U.S.C., subtitle II, part B.
HB 1573 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - (e) Except as provided under paragraph III(b), students seeking more than 2 excused absences per academic year for ongoing participation in the same civic or CTE activity shall enroll in an extended learning opportunity.
(e) Except as provided under paragraph III(b), students seeking more than 2 excused absences per academic year for ongoing participation in the same civic or CTE activity shall enroll in an CHAPTER 307 HB 1573 - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - extended learning opportunity.
In addition to the requirements outlined in paragraph III, parents shall submit a notice to school administrators no less than two school days before their student intends to be absent to attend a civic or CTE event, with the exception of election days.
In addition to the requirements outlined in paragraph III, parents shall submit a notice to school administrators no less than 2 school days before their student intends to be absent to attend a civic or CTE event, with the exception of election days.
2 New Paragraph;
307:2 New Paragraph;
3 New Subparagraph;
307:3 New Subparagraph;
HB 1573 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 3 - (2) The student shall be enrolled in the receiving public school, public academy, or approved private school, subject only to the limitations set forth in RSA 193:3, III-a(d) and the admission requirements described in RSA 193:3, III-a(f).
(2) The student shall be enrolled in the receiving public school, public academy, or approved private school, subject only to the limitations set forth in RSA 193:3, III-a(d) and the admission requirements described in RSA 193:3, III-a(f).
4 School Attendance;
307:4 School Attendance;
5 New Paragraph;
CHAPTER 307 HB 1573 - FINAL VERSION - Page 3 - 307:5 New Paragraph;
6 New Section;
307:6 New Section;
HB 1573 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 4 - (2) Agricultural fairs where students are exhibiting livestock or project work;
(2) Agricultural fairs where students are exhibiting livestock or project work;
(d) Nothing in this section shall prevent schools from requiring students to complete schoolwork missed due to an excused absence.
CHAPTER 307 HB 1573 - FINAL VERSION - Page 4 - (d) Nothing in this section shall prevent schools from requiring students to complete schoolwork missed due to an excused absence.
7 Contingency.
307:7 Contingency.
8 Effective Date.
307:8 Effective Date.
Approved:
July 10, 2026 Effective Date:
I.
Sections 1,2,5, and 6 effective as provided in section 7 II.
Remainder effective July 10, 2026
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How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

Compared against the N.H. Revised Statutes Annotated as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies laws regarding student absences for civic engagement and mandates the state board to grant reassignment requests for students with educational hardships.

  • RSA 193:1-d

    Students in public or public charter primary or secondary schools who wish to attend civic events during the school day shall have their school absences excused.

    Students are now allowed excused absences to attend civic events.

  • RSA 193:1-d

    Schools shall be required to excuse 2 of a student’s school day absences per academic year for civic or CTE events.

    Schools must excuse up to two absences per year for civic or CTE activities.

  • RSA 193:3, II

    if the state board of education finds that the student has a manifest educational hardship, the state board of education shall grant the parent's or guardian's request to re-assign the student to another public school, public academy, or an approved private school.

    The state board is now required to grant school reassignment requests when manifest educational hardship is demonstrated.

  • RSA 193:12, I

    except as otherwise provided in this section, RSA 193:3, or [in] RSA 193:28. → except as otherwise provided in this section, RSA 193:3, or in RSA 193:28.

    Clarifies cross-references in the legal residence requirements for school attendance.

  • RSA 186:11

    The state board of education shall develop and maintain rules pursuant to RSA 193:1-d civic and CTE events.

    The state board is tasked with creating rules for civic engagement and career education activities.

Action History

  1. Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 307; eff. I. Secs 1.2.5.6 eff prov sec 7 II. Rem eff 7/10/2026

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15

  4. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2166e: AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  5. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2166e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  6. House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1244s and 2026-1729s (Rep. Noble): MA DV 186-160 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 7

  7. Ought to Pass with the Amendment on the Remainder of the Bill and the Effective Date; MA; VV; OT3rdg, 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  8. Ought to Pass with Amendment on Sections 3; 4; and the Effective Date; MA; VV, 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  9. The Chair ruled the Question Divisible; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  10. Sen. Prentiss Moved to divide the Question on Ought to Pass with Amendments with the first vote on Sections 3; 4; and the Effective Date and the second vote on the Remainder of the bill and the Effective Date; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  11. Committee Amendment # 2026-1729s, RC 14Y-8N, AA; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

  12. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1729s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17

  13. Hearing: 04/07/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:55 am, on proposed non-germane amendment # 2026-1244s; SC 13

  14. Hearing: 04/07/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:45 am; SC 13

  15. Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 6

  16. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0396h: MA DV 200-149 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 85

  17. Amendment # 2026-0396h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 85

  18. Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate

  19. Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0396h 01/29/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 9 P. 37

  20. Executive Session: 01/12/2026 10:15 am GP 232

  21. Public Hearing: 01/12/2026 10:15 am GP 232

  22. Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 26

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 405 not signed on · 8 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (405)

405 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 405 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Committee Amendment

Passed 14 Yea · 8 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 14002
Democrat 0800
Total 14802
% of votes cast 58%33%0%8%
How each member voted (24)
Member Party Vote
Cindy Rosenwald Democrat Nay
David Watters Democrat Nay
Debra Altschiller Democrat Nay
Donovan Fenton Democrat Nay
Pat Long Democrat Nay
Rebecca Perkins Kwoka Democrat Nay
Suzanne Prentiss Democrat Nay
Tara Reardon Democrat Nay
Bill Gannon Republican Yea
Daniel Innis Republican Yea
Daryl Abbas Republican Yea
David Rochefort Republican Yea
Denise Ricciardi Republican Not Voting
Howard Pearl Republican Yea
James Gray Republican Yea
Keith Murphy Republican Yea
Kevin Avard Republican Not Voting
Mark McConkey Republican Yea
Regina Birdsell Republican Yea
Ruth Ward Republican Yea
Sharon Carson Republican Yea
Tim McGough Republican Yea
Timothy Lang Republican Yea
Victoria Sullivan Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Committee Amendment

Passed 14 Yea · 8 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 13002
Democrat 0800
Total 13802
% of votes cast 57%35%0%9%
How each member voted (23)
Member Party Vote
Cindy Rosenwald Democrat Nay
David Watters Democrat Nay
Debra Altschiller Democrat Nay
Donovan Fenton Democrat Nay
Pat Long Democrat Nay
Rebecca Perkins Kwoka Democrat Nay
Suzanne Prentiss Democrat Nay
Tara Reardon Democrat Nay
Bill Gannon Republican Yea
Daniel Innis Republican Yea
Daryl Abbas Republican Yea
David Rochefort Republican Yea
Denise Ricciardi Republican Not Voting
Howard Pearl Republican Yea
James Gray Republican Yea
Keith Murphy Republican Yea
Kevin Avard Republican Not Voting
Mark McConkey Republican Yea
Ruth Ward Republican Yea
Sharon Carson Republican Yea
Tim McGough Republican Yea
Timothy Lang Republican Yea
Victoria Sullivan Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1573 do?
(New Title) permitting excused absences for student participation in certain activities and mandating the state board of education to grant school reassignment requests for students demonstrating a manifest educational hardship
Who sponsors HB 1573?
HB 1573 is sponsored by Victoria Sullivan (Republican), Melissa Litchfield (Republican), Juliet Harvey-Bolia (Republican), Daniel Innis (Republican), Michael Moffett (Republican), Lisa Freeman (Republican), Margaret Drye (Republican), James Thibault (Republican), Samuel Farrington (Republican), and Jonah Wheeler (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1573?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 10, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1573?
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