New Hampshire Senate passes GOP-backed parents’ rights bill

The New Hampshire Senate has passed a Republican-backed bill that seeks to boost parental rights, allowing them to be more involved in the education of their children. The measure, which was approved in a 19-5 vote, is seen as a victory for conservatives eager to push back against what they see as the encroachment of federal policies in state schools.

The bill, which has been in the works for several years, seeks to provide parents with more control over the education of their children by allowing them to opt their kids out of taking certain standardized tests and to review the instructional material used in their schools. It also would expand the rights of parents to review their children’s disciplinary records and to participate in the decision-making process of their school boards.

Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to ensure that parents can have a say in the education of their children, and to maintain the autonomy of the state’s schools.

“This legislation is an important step towards restoring parental rights in our state,” said State Senator Lou D’Allesandro, a lead sponsor of the bill. “We need to ensure that parents have the authority to be involved in the education of their children, and this bill provides that.”

Opponents of the bill, however, argue that it goes too far in trying to micromanage the state’s schools, and that it could lead to a number of unintended consequences.

“This bill is an overly broad and overly intrusive attempt to micromanage our schools,” said State Senator Martha Hennessey. “It is a dangerous precedent to set, and it could lead to a number of serious issues down the road.”

Despite the opposition, the bill was approved in the Senate and is expected to be taken up by the House in the near future. If approved, the bill would become law, providing parents with more control over their children’s education and potentially limiting the power of the federal government in state schools.