The proposed bill, effective January 1, 2026, amends existing laws to allow parents to enroll their children in any public school within New Hampshire, thereby establishing an open enrollment system across the state. This change is marked by the insertion of new legal language that modifies the requirement for school attendance from a specific school in the child's resident district to any public school. Additionally, the definition of "legal resident" is updated to indicate that residency is determined by being domiciled in the state rather than within a specific school district. The bill also clarifies that the commissioner of the department of education will only consider state residency when addressing residency issues.

The bill further establishes a framework for open enrollment policies, requiring school districts to create policies that facilitate student transfers both within and between districts, as well as from states with interstate compacts with New Hampshire. It mandates that school districts report annually on transfer applications and their outcomes, ensuring transparency. The bill stipulates that transfer applications can only be denied for specific reasons, prohibits discrimination based on grade or academic performance, and eliminates application fees. It also modifies the funding structure for transferring students, ensuring that the resident district pays an amount equal to the average cost per pupil, while transportation responsibilities remain with the resident district. Overall, the bill aims to enhance educational choice and accessibility for families in New Hampshire.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 193:12, 194-D:1, 194-D:2, 194-D:5, 194-D:7