New Hampshire House Votes to Ban 'Woke' Curriculum in Schools

Proposed law would allow lawsuits against schools and teachers over critical race theory, LGBTQ+ issues

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The New Hampshire House of Representatives has initially approved a bill that would prohibit the teaching of critical race theory, LGBTQ+ ideologies, and other alleged Marxist-derived educational theories in the state's public schools. The proposed law would allow anyone who believes the law has been violated to file a civil lawsuit against the school and educators, as well as lodge code of conduct complaints against teachers, which could result in the loss of their teaching license.

Why it matters

This legislation is part of a broader national debate over how issues of race, gender, and sexuality should be addressed in public school curricula. Supporters argue these topics promote divisive 'woke' ideologies, while opponents say the bill censors important discussions about systemic inequalities. The outcome could set a precedent for other states considering similar measures.

The details

The New Hampshire House bill would prohibit the teaching of critical race theory, LGBTQ+ ideologies, and other educational theories that are alleged to be derived from Marxism. The legislation would allow anyone who believes the law has been violated to file a civil lawsuit against the school district and individual educators. It would also permit the filing of code of conduct complaints against teachers, which could potentially result in the loss of their teaching license.

  • The New Hampshire House initially approved the bill on February 20, 2026.

The players

New Hampshire House of Representatives

The lower chamber of the New Hampshire state legislature, which voted to approve the bill prohibiting the teaching of certain ideologies in public schools.

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What’s next

The bill will now move to the New Hampshire Senate for consideration. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the governor, the legislation could face legal challenges from civil liberties groups arguing it violates free speech and academic freedom.

The takeaway

This vote in the New Hampshire House reflects the ongoing national debate over how issues of race, gender, and sexuality should be addressed in public school curricula. The outcome could influence similar legislative efforts in other states, underscoring the politically charged nature of these educational policy decisions.