Week of March 1, 2021
This Week: Important Hearings on Gender, Education, and Religious Liberty Bills
SB 130-FN, relative to education freedom accounts
WHEN: The hearing will take place before the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, March 2, at 9:00 A.M.
CORNERSTONE POSITION: Cornerstone SUPPORTS SB 130-FN.
WHY: SB 130-FN is the Senate equivalent of HB 20, establishing the Richard “Dick” Hinch Education Freedom Account program. HB 20 was retained by the House Education Committee last week. Education freedom accounts provide a child’s state education funding directly to parents via an education grant. These family-directed education grant accounts can be used to pay for courses, devices, tuition, classes, connectivity, tutoring and other forms of learning. With an education freedom account, a family will have more flexibility in finding the right course of study for their child.
HB 295, relative to initiating amendments and corrections to birth records
WHEN: The hearing will take place before the House Health and Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee on Tuesday, March 2, at 9:00 A.M.
CORNERSTONE POSITION: Cornerstone OPPOSES HB 295.
WHY: Allowing individuals to alter their vital records, including birth certificates, based upon subjective feelings or experiences undermines the government’s interest in having accurate vital records. The purpose of vital records is not to affirm a person’s inner feelings or beliefs regarding their age, sex, or location of birth. As numerous courts have recognized, the purpose of vital records is to maintain an accurate database of factual information regarding births, deaths, and other vital events in a given jurisdiction.
While we do not need people to testify for HB 295 at this time, you can still take action by signing in in opposition to this bill. To do so, visit the link below.
HB 542, relative to the applicability of a state of emergency declaration to a house of worship
WHEN: The hearing will take place before the House Judiciary Committee on Friday, March 5, at 10:00 A.M.
CORNERSTONE POSITION: Cornerstone SUPPORTS HB 542.
WHY: In recent months we’ve seen around the country instances of governors using emergency powers to target the ability of churches to freely assemble. If passed, HB 542 would protect churches in New Hampshire from such abuses.
While we do not need people to testify for HB 542 at this time, you can still take action by signing in in opposition to this bill. To do so, visit the link below.
Update on Recent Legislative Action
Bills we have been following that are now on to the next steps. Your voice is still needed and still matters!
HB 625-FN, relative to the protection of fetal life
STATUS: HB 625-FN has been PASSED by the New Hampshire House of Representatives! The bill will now go on to be voted on by the Senate.
Your voice does make a difference! Last Wednesday the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted “yes” on HB 625-FN. If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, HB 625-FN will finally put common-sense measures in place in our state by protecting preborn children after 24 weeks with an exception for the mother’s physical health. The bill is now being referred to the NH Senate where it will be heard in committee before heading for a floor vote.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Call or email your senator and ask them to vote YES on HB 625-FN.
HB 430, repealing the prohibition on entering or remaining on a public way or sidewalk adjacent to a reproductive health care facility
STATUS: HB 430 was scheduled to be voted on last week by the House, but due to time restraints it has been moved to next session.
CORNERSTONE POSITION: Cornerstone SUPPORTS HB 430.
HB 430, the Sidewalk Free Speech Act, will repeal the current prohibition on gathering in a public area that is near an abortion facility. HB 430 argues that the 2014 restrictions currently in NH law (RSA132:37-40) have never been actively enforced, serve no public purpose, and most likely would be found unconstitutional if enforcement was attempted.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Call or email your representatives and ask them to vote in favor of HB 430.
