The bill, known as the Honesty and Transparency in Education Act, mandates that all school employees in New Hampshire must respond truthfully and fully to written requests from parents for information about their children. The bill amends RSA 189 by adding a new section, 189:13-d, which outlines the responsibilities of educators credentialed by the New Hampshire Department of Education. These educators are required to reply to parents' written inquiries within 10 business days, providing complete and honest information as allowed by state or federal law.
However, the bill also includes a provision for situations where providing such information could put the student at immediate risk of physical harm, abuse, or neglect. In these cases, the educator must file a report with the Department of Health and Human Services within 48 hours and may withhold only the information that poses the risk. The bill also stipulates that by June 30, 2025, the State Board of Education must adopt rules amending the code of ethics and conduct for New Hampshire educators in relation to this new requirement. Violations of this section will be considered breaches of the code of conduct and subject to investigation. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.