New Hampshire governor signs law forcing schools to out transgender students

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte just signed legislation requiring schools to out transgender students to legal guardians. The new state law effectively reverses a 2024 state Supreme Court decision that upheld students’ right to privacy.The latest conservative legislation adds to a series of anti-LGBTQ+ policies under consideration in the Granite State. The GOP-controlled legislature in June passed a bathroom bill that could allow businesses to separate bathrooms, locker rooms, sports teams, and other accommodations by biological sex. While Ayotte has vetoed similar bills and other LGBTQ+ matters in the past, the Republican signed the privacy bill. Related: New Hampshire Supreme Court upholds school policy against forced outingAyotte announced her signature on the bill alongside a slate of others passed this year, identifying SB 430 in a press release simply as legislation “relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents and legal guardians.”The statute requires state-credentialed educators to respond to parents' written inquiries regarding any material information relating to their child enrolled in school. That means teachers must disclose information even if a student asks for the matter to be kept confidential or fears for their own safety at home.The decision disappointed education and LGBTQ advocates.“Education is so much more than a job, it’s a calling. As educators, we strive to connect with each student to discover their passions and potential. As educators, we also strive to communicate and collaborate with caregivers and families to support students. However, SB 430 is vaguely written and risks putting educators in a position of outing a student,” said Megan Tuttle, president of NEA-New Hampshire, the state’s largest teachers union.“NEA-New Hampshire is deeply disappointed SB 430 has been signed into law; we remain committed to ensuring every student has a school where they feel safe, seen, and free to be themselves