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 their resident districts. Key changes include modifying the introductory paragraph of RSA 193:1, I to require parents to ensure their children attend "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" in RSA 193:12, III is updated to clarify that a legal resident is someone domiciled in the state, not just within the school district. The bill also mandates that each school district establish an open enrollment policy, allowing students to transfer among schools within and outside their district, and requires annual reporting on transfer applications and outcomes.

Moreover, the bill removes the restriction that only chartered public schools can be open enrollment schools, eliminates application fees, and mandates that schools provide information about their curriculum to prospective students. It establishes admission preferences for military-connected students and outlines specific reasons for denying transfer applications. The bill prohibits schools from accepting or rejecting applicants based on criteria such as grade or age levels and ensures transportation provisions for students. It also addresses funding by stating that no tuition will be charged for public school attendance, with the resident district responsible for paying a specified amount to the receiving district. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and its fiscal impact remains indeterminable due to uncertainties in student enrollment patterns.

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