HB1628

Requiring schools to provide excused absences for certain religious instruction, defining released time courses, and permitting schools to adopt policies and provide credit for released time courses.

Introduced·12/10/25
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New Hampshire HB1628 requires schools to excuse students for religious instruction and to award credit for such courses.

New Hampshire HB1628 mandates that public schools excuse students from school for religious instruction, known as released time courses, with parental consent. Schools must adopt policies to facilitate this excusal without interfering with parental requests. The bill defines released time courses as religious instruction taught by independent entities, held off-site, with no school funding used. Schools must award academic credit for these courses based on secular criteria, such as classroom hours and instructor qualifications, and recognize credits from accredited providers.

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Sponsors

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1
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Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Calendar

Jan 12

10:30 AM

Education Policy and Administration Public Hearing

Jan 12

10:30 AM

Education Policy and Administration Executive Session

History

Feb 12

House

Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 02/12/2026 House Journal 4 P. 3

Feb 4

House

Executive Session: 01/12/2026 10:30 am GP 232

Feb 4

House

Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/29/2026 (Vote 16-0; Consent Calendar) House Calendar 6 P. 4