This bill mandates the establishment of a firearm safety training program to be implemented in all public schools in New Hampshire. It introduces a new chapter, Chapter 193-L, titled the "New Hampshire Firearms Safety Education Act," which outlines the purpose of promoting public safety and responsible citizenship through age-appropriate education on firearms safety. The Department of Education is tasked with developing or adopting standardized firearms safety training for students in grades K-12 by January 1, 2027, and providing curricular materials at no cost to school districts. The training will be mandatory starting in the 2027-2028 school year, requiring at least one instructional hour annually, with specific content tailored to different grade levels. Parents or legal guardians can opt their children out of the training, as stipulated in the bill.

Additionally, the bill amends RSA 186:11 to include a new paragraph that requires the State Board of Education to develop and distribute the educational curriculum for firearms safety training. The bill does not allocate funding or authorize new positions but estimates significant costs associated with implementation, including staffing and curriculum development, which are projected to be $451,000 in FY 2027 and $105,000 in subsequent years. Local school districts may also incur indeterminable costs related to equipment and instructor salaries. The bill emphasizes the importance of compliance and reporting, requiring annual reports from school districts to the Department of Education and a consolidated report to legislative leadership starting in 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 186:11
HB1830 text: 186:11