This bill mandates that local school boards must discuss and vote in a public session before rejecting any charitable contributions, gifts, or donations. The new legal language inserted into various sections of the law specifies that gifts, grants, and donations accepted for specific purposes, such as innovation plans or the purchase of medical supplies like epinephrine auto-injectors and bronchodilators, can only be rejected after a public discussion and vote by the school board. This requirement is added to multiple sections of the law, including RSA 194-E:2, RSA 198:20-c, RSA 200:44-b, RSA 200:54, and RSA 31:31, ensuring transparency in the decision-making process regarding the acceptance or rejection of such contributions.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new paragraph to RSA 188-E:9-a, which states that donations to regional career and technical education center programs must also follow the same public discussion and voting process before rejection. The overall intent of the bill is to enhance accountability and transparency within local school boards regarding the handling of charitable contributions, thereby fostering a more open governance structure. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 194-E:2, 198:20-c, 200:44-b, 200:54, 31:31, 35-B:1, 188-E:9-a