HB1267

Thirteen individually-written submissions were received, eleven in support and two opposed. Supporters emphasized parental rights, parental authority over government or school employees, and children's limited capacity to handle questioning by adults. The two opposing submissions were brief and general, citing reduced transparency/accountability and a lack of safeguards or oversight leading to unintended harms.

• Parents have a right to be present when children are questionedSupport8 of 13 · 62%

  Supporters argued that questioning students without a parent or guardian present violates parental rights and that parental involvement or consent should be required.

  • “Parents have a right to be there when a child is questioned.”

    — Mariah Meskell, Derry · #563448 — read full submission →

• Parents, not government or school employees, are guardiansSupport2 of 13 · 15%

  Submissions asserted that parents are the rightful guardians of their children rather than the government or school staff, and questioned the meaning of parenthood if parents are excluded.

  • “Parents are the rightful guardians of their children, not the government or school employees.”

    — Demitra Papadinis, Deerfield · #558538 — read full submission →

  • “What is the point of having a parent? Of course they have to be involved.”

    — Georgia Loney, Portsmouth · #569897 — read full submission →

• Children cannot recognize manipulative questioningSupport1 of 13 · 8%

  One supporter argued children lack the capacity to understand adults' manipulative tactics and may give answers that jeopardize themselves or their families.

  • “Children do not have the capacity to understand the manipulative tactics of adults and don't know how to avoid answers that put themselves and their families in jeopardy.”

    — Diane Hashem, Thornton · #562984 — read full submission →

• Minors should have due process protectionsSupport1 of 13 · 8%

  A supporter framed the bill as ensuring due process and parental/guardian consent before minors are questioned.

  • “This bill makes sense no one should be questioning minors without due process and parental guardian consent”

    — Lisa Ayer, Manchester · #564314 — read full submission →

• Matters should be handled among adultsSupport1 of 13 · 8%

  A supporter argued such matters should be resolved between adults, with children involved only by parental permission.

  • “These matters should be handled amongst adults or when with children only under parental permission.”

    — Traci Korhonen, Amherst · #557534 — read full submission →

• Reduces transparency and public accountabilityOppose1 of 13 · 8%

  An opponent stated the bill would reduce transparency or public accountability without meaningfully improving outcomes for residents.

  • “I oppose this bill because it reduces transparency or public accountability and does not meaningfully improve outcomes for New Hampshire residents.”

    — Tiffany Gladu, Goffstown · #581895 — read full submission →

• Lacks safeguards and oversight; unintended harmsOppose1 of 13 · 8%

  An opponent argued that absent proactive safeguards, oversight mechanisms, and equity-centered conditions, the bill's unintended harms would outweigh its benefits.