This bill establishes a framework to prohibit the distribution of obscene or harmful materials to minors in schools, specifically amending RSA 650:4, I by inserting the term "higher" before "educational" to clarify the types of institutions that may possess obscene material under certain justifications. It also introduces a new subdivision to RSA 189, which defines harmful materials and outlines a complaint process for parents or guardians who believe their child has been exposed to such materials. Key definitions include terms like "educator," "material," "nudity," and "sexual conduct," and the bill specifies criteria for what constitutes harmful material to minors.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that local school boards adopt a complaint resolution policy by November 1, 2026, requiring written complaints to be submitted to school principals for investigation. If material is deemed harmful, access must be restricted or removed, with provisions for appeals to the local school board and the state board of education. The Attorney General is empowered to enforce these provisions through civil actions against non-compliant schools, with potential damages of at least $1,000 for each violation. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and while the fiscal impact is indeterminable, it is expected to increase demands and litigation costs for the Department of Justice and may vary across local school districts.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 650:4
Version adopted by both bodies: 650:4