The bill, HB 741-FN, amends existing laws to enhance school choice in New Hampshire by allowing parents to send their children to public schools outside of their resident district. Key changes include the modification of the compulsory attendance requirement, which now states that parents must ensure their child attends "a public school" instead of "the public school to which the child is assigned in the child's resident district." Additionally, the definition of "legal resident" is updated to indicate that residency is determined by being domiciled in the state rather than a specific school district. The bill also establishes a framework for open enrollment policies, requiring school districts to create policies that facilitate student transfers both within and outside their districts, while mandating transparency regarding school capacities and transfer outcomes.

Furthermore, the bill removes the restriction that only chartered public schools can be open enrollment schools, allowing parents to apply to any public school in the state. It eliminates application fees and mandates that schools provide information about their curriculum to prospective students. The bill also prioritizes military-connected students for admission and outlines specific reasons for denying transfer applications. Funding mechanisms are clarified, ensuring no tuition charges for students and stipulating that the resident district will pay the receiving district a minimum of 80% of the average cost per pupil. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, but the fiscal impact remains indeterminable, as the potential enrollment changes and their effects on state aid and local revenues are uncertain.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 193:12, 194-D:1, 194-D:2, 194-D:5, 194-D:7
As Amended by the House: 193:12, 194-D:1, 194-D:2, 194-D:5, 194-D:7