The "Home Education Freedom Act" (HB 1268) significantly revises New Hampshire's home education framework, affirming parental rights to home educate while ensuring privacy in program administration. Key changes include the repeal and reenactment of definitions and guidelines for home education, the removal of outdated references, and the introduction of an optional declaration of home education. The bill explicitly states that participation in home education cannot be construed as educational neglect and mandates confidentiality for information submitted to state agencies. Additionally, it clarifies that home education programs will terminate if a student enrolls full-time in a public or charter school or participates in the education freedom account program.

The bill also addresses pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) by requiring written agreements with health carriers, updating reporting and examination requirements, and increasing administrative fines for violations from $2,500 to a maximum of $5,000. It grants the commissioner authority to examine PBMs as if they were health carriers and mandates that contracts include specific provisions regarding drug reimbursement and appeals processes. Furthermore, it prohibits retroactive denials of previously paid claims without prior notice and allows for appeals of such denials. The effective dates for various provisions are set for January 1, 2027, and July 1, 2026, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in PBM operations while streamlining regulations surrounding home education.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 193-A:1, 193-A:4, 193-A:5, 193-A:6
As Amended by the House: 193:1-c, 194-F:2, 195:7, 195:18, 169-C:3, 21-N:9
As Amended by the Senate: 193:1-c, 194-F:2, 195:7, 195:18, 169-C:3, 21-N:9, 402-N:1, 402-N:2, 420-J:8, 420-J:8-b, 415-A:7
Version adopted by both bodies: 193:1-c, 194-F:2, 195:7, 195:18, 169-C:3, 21-N:9, 402-N:1, 402-N:2, 420-J:8, 420-J:8-b, 415-A:7
HB1268 text: 193-A:1, 193-A:4, 193-A:5, 193-A:6