This bill mandates that public school districts in the state develop and implement policies to ensure that classroom temperatures are conducive to education during periods of extreme external temperatures. The bill amends RSA 200:48 to include not only air quality issues but also temperature control within schools. The new legal language inserted into the current law requires school districts to create a temperature control plan that aims to maintain classroom temperatures between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during heating months and between 72 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit during cooling months, to the maximum extent practical. Additionally, the plan must include procedures for closing classrooms when temperatures fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or rise above 88 degrees Fahrenheit.

The bill also removes previous language that addressed minimizing emissions from vehicles on school property in accordance with state anti-idling and clean air zone policies. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2024, giving school districts time to develop and implement the required temperature control plans.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 198:15-y
As Amended by the Senate: 200:48