Bill
HB 748
The bill creates Local Education Freedom Accounts that redirect state education funds to individual families for approved outside-the-district uses such as private school, tutoring
HB 748 (New Hampshire) – 2026
Establishing a Local Education Freedom Account Program
Summary
This bill would establish a Local Education Freedom Account (LEFA) program in New Hampshire, creating new options for funding and directing public education dollars to individual students and families, rather than being used exclusively through traditional school districts.
Purpose and intent
- Provide families with more choices in how public education funds are spent to meet the individual needs of their children.
- Create an account-based mechanism that allows qualified students to use state-funded education dollars for approved educational services and providers outside of the conventional public-school setting.
Key provisions and changes
- Establishment of LEFA program: A new financial account system where funds allocated for a student’s public education can be redirected to a locally administered account.
- Eligibility: Defines which students qualify for LEFA participation (e.g., based on grade level, residency, or other criteria determined by the bill or implementing regulations).
- Funding and accounts:
- State dollars allocated per eligible student would be deposited into the LEFA for that student.
- The program would specify eligible uses of LEFA funds, which may include private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum materials, online programs, special education services, and other approved education-related expenditures.
- Potential limits on total expenditures per student or per year, subject to appropriation and regulatory guidance.
- Administrators and oversight:
- Local or state agencies would appoint or authorize local education freedom account administrators to manage LEFAs, track expenditures, and ensure compliance with program rules.
- Requirements for redeeming funds, expenditures reporting, audit, and accountability measures to prevent misuse.
- Participation mechanics:
- Process for parents or guardians to apply for LEFAs, enroll students, and select approved providers or services.
- Whether participation is voluntary or mandatory for certain students or districts (likely voluntary, with emphasis on choice).
- Compliance and governance:
- Rules governing acceptability of expenditures, alignment with state educational standards, and safeguarding against fraud or misappropriation.
- Provisions for refunds or reallocation of funds if a student withdraws or graduates.
- Repeal/transition provisions:
- If applicable, timeline for phasing in LEFAs, including initial-year funding levels, caps, or sunset clauses for pilot phases and eventual expansion.
Who would be affected
- Eligible students and families seeking alternative education options outside traditional public schools.
- Public school districts that would receive reduced per-pupil funding for participating LEFA students (on a per-student basis, depending on design).
- Private schools, tutoring providers, online program developers, and other education service providers who may participate as approved LEFA uses.
- Local and state education agencies assigned to administer, monitor, and audit LEFAs.
Procedural and timeline aspects
- Introduction and referral history: Introduced in 2025, with referrals to Education Funding and Education Policy and Administration; multiple committee hearings, executive sessions, and amendments over the 2025-2026 sessions.
- Committee action: Majority committee reported “Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3078h” and minority report indicated “Inexpedient to Legislate.”
- Floor actions:
- Various hearings and executive sessions occurred in 2025.
- In early January 2026, the bill was laid on the table (a procedural step indicating it was not moved to passage at that moment).
- Next steps: Depending on committee amendments and floor votes, the bill could be enacted, further amended, or laid aside. If enacted, the program would require implementing regulations, fiscal notes, and appropriation actions to fund LEFAs.
Notes
- Specific dollar amounts, funding caps, eligibility criteria, and the exact list of eligible expenditures are not provided in the available action history and would be defined in the bill’s text, amendments, and implementing regulations.
- As with similar parent-choice education proposals, outcomes depend on funding levels, program administration capacity, and oversight to ensure accountability and equity.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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