The New Hampshire Right to Read Coalition is urging lawmakers to reject SB434.

SB434 (2026) would require every school district in New Hampshire to create a sweeping complaint process for “materials" that certain parents don't like. But this bill doesn’t stop at school library books. It could apply to textbooks, health curriculum, artwork, plays, classroom materials, and virtually any printed or visual content in a school. It does not define important terms like “age-inappropriate” or “otherwise offensive”, which simply invites abuse.

New Hampshire schools already have local policies in place to address parental concerns, both in the curriculum as well as school libraries. Parents can guide their own child’s education and request alternate assignments when needed. Because SB434 goes further, it risks allowing one complaint to limit access for every student.

A few months ago, Governor Ayotte vetoed a similar bill, warning that vague standards would undermine local control and invite costly litigation. SB434 expands the same flawed approach.

This bill adds administrative burden, legal risk, and political pressure to schools already facing staffing shortages and rising costs. It shifts constitutional line-drawing away from courts and into school offices, putting districts at risk of expensive First Amendment lawsuits.

Please send a message to your state Representative to Vote No on SB434. New Hampshire has a proud tradition of local decision-making and respect for free expression. SB434 moves it in the wrong direction.