Latest news with #ParentalBillofRights
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Enfield man allegedly bites police officer, tries to crush eyes
LEBANON, N.H. (ABC22/FOX44) – The Lebanon Police Department received a report Thursday evening at about 7:54 p.m. of a man wanted for multiple warrants in the West Lebanon Walmart. According to police, an officer found Joshua Champney, 35, of Enfield, but a struggle ensued and Champney tried to flee on foot through the parking lot. New Hampshire establishes Parental Bill of Rights, universal school vouchers Police then said the officer used a Taser on Champney, who continued to struggle, biting the officer and trying to gouge their eyes out with his thumbs. It took the aid of several more police officers before he was finally put under arrest. The officer who tried to arrest Champney was injured during the struggle and has since been released from the hospital. Police said they found a stolen gun in his possession. Champney had previously been out on bail for possessing a dangerous weapon, along with a DUI charge, resisting arrest, and a parole violation. Lebanon police welcome veteran police dog… and human partner After the apparent struggle, Champney had more charges added to this list, including 2nd degree assault and the special felony of being an 'armed career criminal'; people convicted of 3 or more counts of certain serious felonies are not allowed to own firearms in New Hampshire. Champney was taken to the Grafton County House of Corrections. His arraignment was scheduled for Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Hampshire establishes Parental Bill of Rights, universal school vouchers
CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire's governor Kelly Ayotte signed two bills Tuesday to give parents more control over their children's education. House Bill 10, which cites the 'fundamental liberty' parents have to take care of their children, creates a 'Parental Bill of Rights'. It allows parents to opt their children out of health or sex education, and to exempt them from vaccinations for religious reasons. NH House passes bill to ban cell phones in schools The bill also allows parents to view their children's records and any educational material being taught to them, along with affirming the right of parents to choose to enroll their children in private, religious, or home schooling. Senate Bill 295 revises the requirements for school vouchers in the state. The state's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program offers grants to families who are home-schooling or enrolling their children in private school. Previously, these grants were only available to families with an income of less than 350 percent of the federal poverty level, or $112,525 a year for a family of 4 as of this year. SB 295 removes this limit so that families of all events are able to apply for the grant. Hassan, Noem lock horns over habeas corpus Each bill passed in a near-party line vote. Democrats in New Hampshire's legislature were unanimous in their opposition to SB 295, with the House Democratic Office calling the bill a handout for millionaires that will cost the state over $50 million dollars. But New Hampshire education commissioner Frank Edelblut said the EFA program 'has already transformed lives by giving families access to the educational pathways that best fit their children's needs'. HB 10 also prompted criticism from House Democrats, who warned that the bill could make it harder to protect vulnerable children, while Ayotte said she was proud to sign the bill, saying it ensured 'parents are the central voice in their children's education.' New Hampshire bakery wins free speech case over a painting of doughnuts, pastries The parental bill of rights will take effect July 1, and the changes to the EFA program will be effective August 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ayotte says two priority bills she signed back parental rights
Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed into law two of her signature priority bills Tuesday, a parental rights law to give them access to information about their children in schools and one allowing parents of any income level to receive a taxpayer-paid Education Freedom Account (EFA). Surrounded by legislators, education choice advocates and school children, Ayotte said the two bills put the state on the right course for education reform that emphasizes choice and promotes families. 'Giving parents the freedom to choose the education setting that best fits their child's needs will help every student in our state reach their full potential,' Ayotte said. 'I'm proud to sign this into law today along with the Parental Bill of Rights, which ensures parents are the central voice in their children's education. I thank the House and Senate for working to get these across the finish line.' But critics maintain that both bills harm the public school system. They contend the parental rights measures (HB 10 and SB 72) could make it harder for educators to report cases of suspected child abuse to authorities. They opposed the EFA legislation (SB 295) since this expansion is estimated to add another $17 million a year to a program that was already costing taxpayers $30 million annually. 'All students deserve a high-quality education and the support they need to thrive. Unfortunately, expanding the unaccountable voucher scheme will exacerbate the already inequitable public education funding system in New Hampshire,' said Megan Tuttle, president of the National Education Association of New Hampshire. 'Limitless vouchers will take millions of dollars out of public schools to subsidize private school education for a few at the expense of nearly 90% of students who attend community public schools.' Outgoing Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut had been one of the leading advocates for EFAs, which were created in a 2021 state budget trailer bill that then-Gov. Chris Sununu signed into law. "New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program has already transformed lives by giving families access to the educational pathways that best fit their children's needs,' Edelblut said. 'Expanding this opportunity through universal eligibility is a bold and forward-thinking move that reimagines what education can be, providing every student with the opportunity to reach their full potential and experience a bright future. We are proud to support this expansion and eager to see the lasting impact it will have on student success across our state.' Limiting EFA expansion was proposed The EFA law went far beyond what Ayotte had asked for from legislators four months ago. Currently, EFAs are limited to families making up to 350% of the federal poverty level or just over $100,000 a year for a family of four. The bill would eliminate that income eligibility limit while initially setting a cap on 10,000 EFAs given statewide. Currently, there are about 5,600 families that receive EFAs, averging about $5,100 a year. Ayotte had only wanted the expansion of EFAs to apply to families that have their children in public schools. According to surveys, more than 75% of those who have received EFAs already had their children enrolled in private schools. 'New Hampshire parents are grateful and relieved that more doors are finally open,' said Kate Baker Demers, executive director of the Children's Scholarship Fund, the nonprofit group that administers the EFA program for the state. 'They've known what their children needed — and now, thanks to this law, more families can access the freedom to choose what works best. This isn't about politics. It's about possibility.' Several leaders of education choice groups praised Ayotte's move on the EFA. "Gov. Ayotte knows that every young Granite Stater has unique needs to fulfil their education. Today, she ensured that every family is empowered with resources to find what works best for them,' said Nick Murray, public affairs manager for yes. every kid. 'We look forward to working with her administration to ensure New Hampshire's EFA program continues to serve families' needs in the best ways possible.' EdChoice President Robert Enlow said New Hampshire becomes the 19th state to offer these vouchers to all students. 'What New Hampshire has done isn't just expand eligibility — it's set a new benchmark for what educational freedom should look like,' Enlow continued. 'We're proud to support the Granite State in realizing the vision Milton Friedman outlined nearly 70 years ago — one in which every family has the freedom to choose, and every child has the opportunity to thrive.' State Sen. Victoria Sullivan, R-Manchester, sponsored the EFA bill that became law. House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson said a byproduct of the parental rights bill will be to target transgender students who will no longer be able to confide in 'one trusted adult' at school about their views about gender identity that their parents don't know about. "Today, Gov. Kelly Ayotte and State House Republicans turned our classrooms into political battlegrounds. They've passed a bill that forces teachers to out LGBTQ+ teens to potentially abusive parents and makes it harder for educators and DCYF to protect vulnerable kids who need help the most. They've made teachers' jobs a nightmare and put children at risk, all in the name of a hateful culture war. Nobody asked for this.' House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, was the prime author of the parental rights bill. 'By advancing education freedom and the Parental Bill of Rights, we've reaffirmed a simple truth: parents, not bureaucracies, should make decisions about their children's lives. This legislation gives families real choices and ensures their values are respected,' Packard added. klandrigan@
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Both sides lobby Ayotte over parental rights, trans bills
Conservative and liberal organizations lobbied Gov. Kelly Ayotte for and against legislation promoting parental rights, which critics unfairly contend target transgender residents. Last week, the Legislature completed action on a series of bills that conservative groups have dubbed a 'landmark parental rights package.' The coalition includes RebuildNH, Young Americans for Liberty, Citizens Alliance of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance and Health Freedom N.H. 'These bills collectively ensure that parents — not government institutions — retain the primary role in guiding their children's development,' said Melissa Blasek, executive director of RebuildNH. 'This package embodies New Hampshire's commitment to freedom and personal responsibility. It's time to lead the nation once again.' The Parental Rights Package includes the following bills: • Parental rights: HB10 and SB72 would establish a Parental Bill of Rights, codifying parents' fundamental rights to make decisions regarding the care, custody, education and medical treatment of their children. • Risk surveys: HB446 requires parental notice and opt-in consent for non-academic surveys administered in public schools. • Child's library records: HB273 would grant parents access to their child's records, which supports said would ensure transparency. • Mandating student info disclosure: SB 96 would require school district employees to disclose material information regarding a student's mental, emotional or physical health to parents. • Ban mask wearing: HB 361 would outlaw mandatory mask policies in schools, reinforcing the right of parents to make medical decisions for their children. • Obscenity definition in schools: HB324 would prohibit obscene or harmful sexual materials in schools, protecting children from age-inappropriate content. 'The Parental Rights Package is about trust — trusting parents to know what's best for their children,' said Dan Gray, executive director of Citizens Alliance of New Hampshire. 'Governor Ayotte has an opportunity to affirm the rights of every New Hampshire family and to send a clear message that our state values liberty and family sovereignty.' Ayotte urged to veto 4 bills A liberal bloc of organizations called upon Ayotte to veto four bills, starting with the parental rights bill they charge would leave students dealing with gender identity issues without a 'trusted adult' to confide in. 'The majority of New Hampshire politicians chose to insert themselves in conversations between young people, their parents, and doctors, by passing a ban on medically necessary health care that has vastly improved the well-being of transgender young people,' said Linds Jakow, founder of 603 Equality. 'Politicians likewise chose to insert themselves in conversations between young people, their parents, and teachers, by passing bills that would require teachers to reveal a student's gender or sexuality, rather than suggest a conversation between the parent and their student. We control our bodies and lives. Gov. Kelly Ayotte must swiftly veto this legislation, which has no place in any state that claims to value individual freedom.' These groups include 603 Equality, Planned Parenthood of New Hampshire Action Fund, N.H. Outright, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) and the American Civil Liberties of New Hampshire. Other bills these advocates opposed included: • Gender-affirming care: HB 712 would ban all elective surgeries for transgender patients under 18 years old, even with parental consent and after consultations with medical professionals. On Thursday, the House will decide whether to concur with changes made to this bill along with HB 377 that restricts access for minors to puberty blockers. • Allow segregation of spaces: HB 148 would allow government agencies and private businesses to restrict access to restrooms, sports teams and prisons to members of the same biological sex. Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed an identical bill (HB 396) in 2024. 'It is clear that these bills would cause harm, permit discrimination, and heighten cruelty and harassment in our communities — and they have no place in New Hampshire,' said Courtney Reed, ACLU-N.H's policy advocate. 'Every Granite Stater deserves the freedom to control their bodies and to seek the health care they need free from government intrusion — period. These merciless, cruel, and endless legislative attacks against LGBTQ+ Granite Staters need to end.' What's Next: Most of these bills that both sides are working on have passed both branches of the Legislature and are on the way to Ayotte's desk. Prospects: Ayotte has expressed support for the parental rights bills and publicly she hasn't raised an objection to any of the other measures. klandrigan@
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sask. Party MLAs remain banned from Pride parades in Regina, Prince Albert, Battlefords
Regina's Queen City Pride (QCP) and other organizations have decided to maintain their ban on Saskatchewan Party MLAs during Pride month festivities in June. Responding to Bill 137, which passed in October 2023, Pride groups around Saskatchewan last year barred Sask. Party MLAs from participating in Pride events. The bill, also known as the Parental Bill of Rights, requires students under 16 to obtain parental or guardian consent 'before the pupil's teachers and other employees of the school use the pupil's new gender-related preferred name or gender identity at school.' As a result, the Pride flag is not being raised at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building for a second year in a row. According to QCP co-chair Riviera Bonneau, if the government isn't willing to reverse its policy, then neither is QC Pride. The province did not respond to a request for comment before the Leader-Post's print deadline. 'The existing Government of Saskatchewan has not done anything to rectify Bill 137,' Bonneau said Friday. 'They have not spoken with any queer organizations to try to do better.' The Queen City Pride Festival — an annual 10-day celebration of Regina's gender and sexually diverse communities — officially opened Friday with a flag-raising ceremony at Regina City Hall. The annual Pride parade from which MLAs were banned last year is scheduled for next Saturday. Several groups are holding the line on their policy, with Prince Albert Pride and Battlefords and Area Pride maintaining their respective bans. 'They're not welcome,' said Kelly Waters, secretary of Battlefords and Area Pride. 'They haven't changed their positions.' Waters said it's important for the organization to create a safe environment for its members — and inviting the MLAs would 'not be safe.' Andromeda Eremondi, chair of Prince Albert Pride, said the organization would consider an application from Sask. Party MLAs. However, it would only happen if they denounce Bill 137 and commit to repealing it while also refusing to engage in 'any of the change-room nonsense' which reared its head during the provincial election in October 2024. The provincial government subsequently announced that Saskatchewan school boards would be required to implement change-room policies regarding trans and gender-diverse students. 'We are hesitant to allow politicians that aren't proven allies,' Eremondi said via email. 'We're wary of those saying they love our community while working to attack members within our community.' During Friday's flag raising in Regina, speakers focused on the importance of visibility while sticking to the root of Pride's cause as shown through protests and political action. Asked what she feels the response will be to the continued MLA ban, Bonneau said: 'I think the response from the Saskatchewan government will be apathy. 'I unfortunately do not think they care about us, which is why it's incredibly important for us to stand up every year and make sure we tell them: we do not like what they are doing, and we will oppose it, and we will stand against it every year.' Saskatchewan passes school pronoun bill using notwithstanding clause 'They're not our allies': Queen City Pride bars Sask. Party from Pride month celebrations alsalloum@ The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
