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Bill

HB 676

relative to the composition and responsibilities of the parent and education service provider advisory commission, and establishing education freedom account impact and parent satisfaction surveys.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dan McGuire and 3 co-sponsors

HB 676 would create Education Freedom Accounts with an impact assessment and establish a parent advisory commission plus regular parent satisfaction surveys to increase parental in

Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
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Bill Summary · HB 676

HB 676 (Session 2026, New Hampshire) – Summary

Purpose and intent

HB 676 proposes to reform the composition and responsibilities of the state’s Parent and Education Service Provider Advisory Commission, create an Education Freedom Account (EFA) impact assessment, and authorize parent satisfaction surveys. The bill aims to expand parental involvement and oversight of education providers, establish a new accountability mechanism through EFAs, and gauge parent perspectives on education programs and services.

Key provisions

  • Advisory Commission: Composition and duties

    • Reconstitures or clarifies the Parent and Education Service Provider Advisory Commission.
    • Defines membership, appointment process, and terms for commissioners.
    • Specifies duties related to advising on education policy, program implementation, and collaboration between families and schools or service providers.
    • Establishes reporting requirements and timelines for the commission to inform state education policymakers.

  • Education Freedom Account (EFA) impact

    • Creates or formalizes an Education Freedom Account program, designed to allocate funding for families to choose nontraditional education providers or services (e.g., private schools, virtual programs, tutoring, special education supports) within state guidelines.
    • Requires an impact assessment framework to evaluate fiscal, educational, and programmatic effects of EFAs on students, districts, and the broader education system.
    • Lays out criteria for program eligibility, administration, oversight, and stakeholder reporting.

  • Parent satisfaction surveys

    • Establishes a mechanism for regular parent satisfaction surveys to measure perceptions of educational options, provider quality, and overall educational experience.
    • Specifies survey frequency, methodology, data privacy protections, and how results will be used to inform policy and program adjustments.
    • Requires public reporting of survey findings and potential action steps by the commission or Department of Education.

Who would be affected

  • Students and families

    • Access to EFAs (subject to eligibility and program rules) and greater opportunities to tailor education to individual needs.
    • Increased avenues for feedback through standardized parent surveys and advisory input.

  • Schools, districts, and education service providers

    • Compliance requirements for EFAs, reporting, and program oversight.
    • Interaction with the advisory commission for policy guidance and implementation support.

  • State and local education agencies

    • Enhanced accountability and data collection about parental experience and program outcomes.
    • Periodic reporting on EFA impact and advisory recommendations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill passes through standard committee process in the Senate and House, including:

    • Public hearings and executive sessions to discuss amendments.
    • Committee votes on “Ought to Pass with Amendment” or “Inexpedient to Legislate,” with tied or affirmative outcomes guiding further consideration.
    • Potential floor votes and conference resolutions if needed.

  • Status history (highlights)

    • Introduced early 2025; referred to Education Policy and Administration.
    • Underwent amendments and committee votes in 2025, including a favorable committee report with amendments.
    • In 2026, the bill was deemed “Inexpedient to Legislate” by the Senate, effectively killing the measure at that stage.

  • Current status (as of last action)

    • January 7, 2026: Declared Inexpedient to Legislate by the Senate (bill killed for the session).

Potential impact and considerations

  • If enacted, the bill would shift some educational funding dynamics via EFAs and elevate parental input through the advisory commission and regular satisfaction surveys.
  • The EFA component would require careful design to ensure accountability, equity, and fiscal responsibility, including detailed impact assessments.
  • Diminished likelihood of passage based on the latest status, but the framework could inform future iterations or related proposals focusing on parental choice and provider oversight.

If you’d like, I can compare HB 676 to prior NH proposals on EFAs or advisory commissions, or craft a one-page briefing for stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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