This bill amends the existing prohibition on teaching discrimination by adding a requirement for a specific mental state, or mens rea, to be established for violations. The introductory paragraph of RSA 193:40, I is revised to state that no pupil in any public school shall be intentionally or knowingly taught or compelled to express belief in or support for certain discriminatory concepts. This change aims to clarify the intent behind the actions of educators in relation to teaching discrimination. Additionally, the bill repeals the provision that classifies violations of this prohibition as a violation of the educator code of conduct. The fiscal impact of the bill is currently indeterminable, as the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is awaiting further information from the Department of Education. The Department of Justice has indicated that the bill will not affect its budget, but the overall financial implications for the Department of Education remain unclear. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 193:40