HB671 Establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program.
Establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Concerning
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
The bill appropriates only $1 despite estimated annual costs of $600,000-$663,500, leaving funding uncertain and the program inoperable without separate appropriations.
Your Community
If funded, the program would provide early literacy services to preschoolers in low-income families, potentially improving school readiness across the state, but the funding shortfall prevents actual community impact.
Your Freedom
The bill creates no restrictions or expansions of individual rights; it is a voluntary program requiring parental participation.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 01/07/2026 House Journal 1 P. 72
Sponsor
Mark Pearson (R)
The Short Version
This bill establishes a statewide kindergarten literacy readiness program offering digital educational technology to 4- and 5-year-olds not yet in kindergarten, delivered in home or center-based settings and targeting low-income families. However, the bill appropriates only $1 while estimated costs are $600,000+ annually, creating a fundamental funding gap that prevents implementation.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ 4- and 5-year-old children in low-income households (FANF and WIC recipients) who would gain access to evidence-based early literacy programs
- ▲ Families unable to afford private preschool programs
- ▲ Public and private preschool providers who could participate in the program
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ New Hampshire taxpayers funding the $600,000+ annual state costs and DHHS notification costs ($63,500 in FY 2026, $25,500 thereafter)
- ▼ General Fund budget in years when appropriations must be made to operationalize the program
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.