Bill > HB510

This bill establishes comprehensive due process protections for students, student organizations, and faculty members at publicly funded New Hampshire colleges and universities when facing disciplinary proceedings. The bill defines a disciplinary proceeding as any action that could result in suspension, expulsion, termination, or loss of organizational privileges, and outlines specific rights for those involved in such proceedings. These rights include receiving at least 7 days' written notice of allegations, getting a list of witnesses and evidence at least 5 days before a hearing, having a presumption of innocence, the right to cross-examine witnesses, present a defense, have an advisor present, receive a verbatim hearing record, and appeal adverse decisions. The bill requires an impartial hearing and allows institutions to take immediate action only in cases of imminent physical threat, with a hearing to follow as soon as possible. It also specifies that while institutions can provide additional due process protections, they cannot provide fewer protections than those outlined in the bill. For faculty members covered by existing collective bargaining agreements, the current agreement's disciplinary procedures will apply until the agreement expires, after which the new bill's provisions will take effect. The bill is set to become effective on July 1, 2026, and is expected to cause additional administrative costs for New Hampshire's public higher education institutions, estimated between $100,000 to over $500,000 annually.

Education

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0592&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB510