SB491 Enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding and removing references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.
Enabling students to utilize education freedom account funds to pay for certain career and technical education funding and removing references to "curriculum frameworks" as they relate to the substantive educational content of an adequate education.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Gives families more options to use EFA funds for career training that leads to well-paying trade jobs, potentially a better return on education investment for many students.
Your Community
Supports NH's workforce development needs by making career and technical education more accessible, addressing skilled trade shortages across the state.
Your Freedom
Expands parental choice in education by allowing EFA funds to support vocational pathways, not just traditional academic settings.
Status
Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 256; Effective 07/01/2027
Sponsor
David Watters (D)
The Short Version
Allows Education Freedom Account funds to be used for career and technical education (CTE) programs. Expands the uses of these school choice accounts to include vocational training and trade programs.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Students interested in trade careers
- ▲ Families with EFA accounts
- ▲ NH employers facing skilled worker shortages
- ▲ CTE programs gaining new funding sources
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Public schools if EFA diversion increases
- ▼ Taxpayers funding the expanded EFA 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.