Mandate: State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.40 (2005) requires local boards to ensure that there is instruction in elementary, middle, and high school in health education. The rule contains a brief summary of required topics. State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.26 (2005) gives local school boards the authority to adopt instructional time requirements for K-8 health education. State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.27 (2005) requires that high school students complete credit in health education coursework in order to graduate (out of 20 required), and at least credits of health education courses must be offered by each high school.

Curriculum Content: The state developed voluntary Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003), based on the National Health Education Standards, to provide districts and schools a model of standards-based instruction and assessment.

State Assessment Requirement: None, though the Health Education Curriculum Guidelines contains recommendations for local assessment.

Mandate: RSA 189:11-a (2004) says, The school board of each school district shall develop and adopt a policy recommending that all pupils participate in developmentally appropriate daily physical activity, exercise, or physical education..." The law also directs the State Board of Education to adopt and distribute rules for a model physical activity policy. State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.41 (2005) lists required concepts of a K-12 physical education program. State Board of Education Rule Ed 310.03 requires each local school board to adopt a policy regarding physical activities and exercise. The policy must recommend that all students in K-12 participate in 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity and exercise per day.

State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.26 (2005) gives local school boards the authority to adopt instructional time requirements for K-8 physical education. State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.27 (2005) requires that high school students complete 1 credit in physical education coursework in order to graduate (out of 20 required), and high schools must offer at least 2 credits of courses in physical education (out of 45 required).

Exemptions: The state permits local districts to allow students to substitute extended learning," (activities provided outside of the regular school day that align with the local physical education curriculum) to meet the physical education requirements in middle and high school.

Curriculum Content: The Physical Education Curriculum Guidelines (2005) provides suggestions for curriculum content in physical educational for students in grades K-12.

Physical Fitness Assessment: None.

The state does not specifically require asthma education, but the Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003) suggests instruction about asthma in elementary, middle, and high school grades.

The K-12 Career Development Framework (2000) establishes education standards for career development, including emotional and social education. Standard 4 requires students learn healthy way of dealing with conflict and stress and about having a positive self-image by the end of grade 4. By the end of grade 8, students are required to have learned the importance of maintaining emotional health. By the end of grade 12, students are required to have learned behaviors that maintain emotional health. Standard 5 requires students learn how to appropriately express feelings by the end of grade 4.

The Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003) recommend mental, emotional, and social health education be taught progressively based on age appropriateness. The mental health component stresses positive self-image, appropriate and positive expression of feelings, stress and anger management, indicators of depression and other mental illness, and how, where, and when to get help in grades K-12. The physical activity component stresses the mental and social benefits of exercise in grades K-8. The nutrition component stresses how moods and emotions influence food choices in middle school and high school. The family life and sexuality component stresses the learning of the emotional and social changes associated with one's growth and development in grades K-8.

Character Education: No state policy.

Mandate: RSA 186:11 (2005) and RSA 189:10 (1975) require instruction for students in the prevention of diseases, including communicable diseases, and the effects of venereal diseases and AIDS on the human body. High school students are required to take a course of at least credit in health education that must address venereal diseases and AIDS. Pregnancy prevention is not mentioned.

Curriculum Content: New Hampshire's Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003) suggests instruction in Family Life and Sexuality topics in elementary, middle, and high school grades, including the prevention of HIV, other STDs, and unintended pregnancy.

Parental Approval: The state does not require parents to grant permission for participation in AIDS education ("opt-in").

RSA 189:11-a (2004) requires the state board of education to prepare and distribute curriculum on nutrition education that shall be integrated into the regular course of instruction for grades K-12.

The Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003) recommend students in grades K-12 receive instruction in nutrition education.

Alcohol: The Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003) recommend students in grades K-12 receive instruction in alcohol use prevention education.

Tobacco: The Health Education Curriculum Guidelines recommend students in grades K-12 receive instruction in tobacco use prevention education.

Drugs: The Health Education Curriculum Guidelines recommend students in grades K-12 receive instruction in drug use prevention education.

The Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003) recommends students in grades K-12 receive instruction in violence prevention education. However, RSA 193-F:4 (2001) does not require the inclusion of any pupil safety and violence prevention curriculum, textbook, presentation, or other material in any program or activity.

Bullying/Harassment: RSA 193-F:2-5 (2010) requires school districts to provide educational programs for pupils and parents in preventing, identifying, responding to, and reporting incidents of bullying or cyberbullying. However the statute does not require the inclusion of any specific curriculum, textbook, or other material designed to prevent bullying or cyberbullying. In addition, the omission of bullying or cyberbullying from any curriculum, textbook, or other material in any program or activity conducted by an educational institution does not constitute a violation of the statute.

The Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003) recommend students learn how to avoid and deal with bullying in elementary and middle school and recognize sexual harassment in high school.

Fighting/Gangs: Standards 4 and 5 of the K-12 Career Development Framework (2000) require students learn conflict resolution skills. The Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003) recommend students learn the causes of conflict, conflict resolution techniques, avoidance, and non-violent ways to calm charged situations in grades K-12. Recognition of abuse is also recommended for learning in elementary school.

Suicide and Other Self-Abuse Prevention: The Health Education Curriculum Guidelines (2003) recommend suicide prevention education be part of the curriculum for middle school and high school; including signs of depression and mental illness, how to get help for self and others, and how to identify stressors.

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule Ed 512 (2001) requires educators to have a minimum of 75 hours of professional development every three years. 35 hours must be spent meeting district goals specified in the professional development master plan, which may include health-related topics.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Rule Ed 612.09 (2004). For prospective health teachers in high school, a candidate is required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in health.

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule Ed 512 (2001) requires educators to have a minimum of 75 hours of professional development every three years. 30 hours must be devoted to the educator's subject area or specialization.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in grades K-12 prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree and demonstrate competency in the areas described in State Board of Education Rule Ed 507.16 (2003).

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule Ed 512 (2001) requires educators to have a minimum of 75 hours of professional development every three years. 30 hours must be devoted to the educator's subject area or specialization.

Pre-service Requirement: RSA 200:29 (1971) requires a school nurse be a registered nurse licensed in New Hampshire.  For licensure, RSA 326-B:20 (2001) requires applicants to complete an approved nursing program, possess a bachelor's degree, and pass a board approved examination.

Professional Development: None specified.

Student-to-Nurse Ratio: No specific policy; however RSA 200:29 allows each school board to appoint a registered professional nurse currently registered in the state to function in the school health program.

Pre-service Requirement: State Board of Education Rule Ed 311.02 (1996) allows the principal or designee to assist students in taking required medications by making them available as needed and by observing the student as he/she takes or does not take the medication. RSA 200:31 (1997) allows a school board to employ a licensed practical nurse or certified nursing assistant to work under the direct supervision of the school registered nurse.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: State Board of Education Rule Ed 507.07 (2005) requires candidates to have completed a state board of education approved school counseling collegiate program at the master's degree level or higher; or to have acquired the competencies, skills, and knowledge of a guidance counselor through completion of courses related to school counseling at the master's degree level or higher and completion of a counseling internship in a school setting; or experience in comparable positions in school guidance and counseling or other professions closely related to school guidance and counseling.

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule Ed 512 (2001) requires educators to have a minimum of 75 hours of professional development every three years. 30 hours must be devoted to the educator's subject area or specialization.

Student-to-Counselor Ratio: State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.39 (2005) requires elementary schools to provide one full-time guidance counselor per 500 students. Middle and high schools are required to provide one full-time guidance counselor per 300 students.

Pre-service Requirement: State Board of Education Rule Ed 507.08 (2005) requires school psychologists to have completed either a state board of education or NCATE approved doctoral program in school psychology or have a 60 credit master's degree with coursework in 11 areas specified in this rule, two years of supervised experience as an associate school psychologist in a school setting, and must demonstrate competency in seven specific areas, specified in this rule, pertaining to the duties of a school psychologist.

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule Ed 512 (2001) requires educators to have a minimum of 75 hours of professional development every three years. 30 hours must be devoted to the educator's subject area or specialization.

Student-to-Psychologist Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: State Board of Education Rule Ed 507.14 (2004) requires social workers to have at least a bachelor's degree in social work from a college or university approved by the New Hampshire post secondary education commission.

Professional Development: None specified.

Student-to-Social Worker Ratio: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.11 (2005) requires all food services personnel to obtain a certificate of completion for an approved sanitation course, within their first year of employment.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Additional Accountability Requirements: None

Additional Content Requirements: None

Guidance Materials: The state Department of Education has created a Local Wellness Policy Toolkit (2005) that includes school wellness policy and resources assessment form.

Other: None

Food Services: RSA 189:11-a (2004) and State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.11 (2005) require each school board to make available meals for every pupil under its jurisdiction during school hours. For needy students, meals without cost or reduced should be made available according to income guidelines set by the state board. Students must also be accorded adequate time to consume meals in each elementary, middle, and high school.

Adequate Time to Eat: No state policy.

School Breakfast: No state policy.

Food Allergies: No state policy.

Farm-to-School: No state policy.

Vending Machines/School Stores: No state policy.

Other Food Sales: No state policy.

School Gardening: No state policy.

General Physical Activity Requirement: No state policy.

Recess or Physical Activity Breaks: State Board of Education Rule Ed 310.04 (2005) requires the developmentally appropriate daily physical activity policy to encourage physical activity recess periods."

Recess Before Lunch: No state policy.

Walking/Biking to School: No state policy.

Interscholastic Athletics: No state policy.

Concussion and Sports-Related Head Injury: No state policy.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED): No state policy.

RSA 193-G:6 (2003) authorizes schools to implement policies promoting school safety. Rule Ed 306.04 (2005) requires local school boards to implement policies and procedures relative to promoting a school environment conducive to learning.

RSA 193-G:4 (2003) states that students attending a school that has been labeled as "persistently dangerous", pursuant to the federal NCLB Act, must be given the option to transfer to another school within the same district. Parents must be notified of the option within five days of the labeling.

Fighting/Gangs: No specific policy; however, State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.04 requires local school boards to implement policies and procedures relative to discipline, which would likely include rules against fighting.

Weapons: RSA 193:13 (2000) states the possession of a pellet or BB gun, rifle, or paint ball gun is an expellable offense. Also, any pupil who brings or possesses a firearm in a safe school zone (an area inclusive of any school property or school buses) without written authorization from the superintendent or designee must be expelled by the school board for at least 12 months. During that period, said student may not enroll in another school district in New Hampshire. Procedures for suspension or expulsion are found in State Board of Education Rule Ed 317 (2001).

RSA 193-G:1 (2003) classifies the unlawful possession or sale of a firearm or other dangerous weapon as one incident that contributes to being designated a "persistently dangerous school." Any school in which the unlawful sale or possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon has occurred as three separate incidents during a period of one year for three consecutive years shall be labeled a "persistently dangerous school."

Drugs and Alcohol: RSA 193-B:1 (1996) creates drug-free school zones that extend 1,000 feet from the real property line of the school. RSA 193-B:2 (1994) states, "Except as otherwise provided by law, it [is] unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, prescribe, administer, dispense, or possess with intent to sell, dispense, or compound any controlled drug or its analog, within a drug-free school zone at any time of the year."

Collaboration with Law Enforcement: RSA 193-D:4 (2001) requires school principals to pass along information of violence in a safe school zone to local law enforcement authority. School districts are required to establish, in collaboration with local law enforcement, procedures for carrying the provisions in this Statute.

Bullying/Harassment: RSA 193-F:2-5 (2010) defines bullying as “a single significant incident or a pattern of incidents involving a written, verbal, or electronic communication, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another pupil which (1) Physically harms a pupil or damages the pupil’s property; (2) Causes emotional distress to a pupil; (3) Interferes with a pupil’s educational opportunities; (4) Creates a hostile educational environment; or (5) Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. The statute also provides definitions of bullying behavior, cyberbullying, electronic devices, perpetrator, school property, and victim. The statute states that bullying occurs when an action or communication as defined above occurs on, or is delivered to, school property or a school-sponsored activity or event on or off school property; or occurs off of school property or outside of a school-sponsored act or event, if the conduct interferes with a student’s educational opportunity or substantially disrupts the operations of the school or school-sponsored event or activity.

RSA 193-F:2-5 (2010) requires the school board of each district and the board of trustees of a chartered public school to adopt a policy prohibiting bullying and cyberbullying. The policy must include the following: (1) Statement prohibiting bullying or cyberbullying of a student, (2) Statement prohibiting retaliation or false accusation against a victim, witness or anyone else who in good faith provides information about an act of bullying or cyberbullying, (3) Requirement that all students are protected regardless of their status under the law, (4) Requirement for disciplinary consequences or interventions for a student committing an act, or false accusation of another student as a means of retaliation, (5) Plans for distributing the policy, (6) Procedure for reporting, (7) Outline of the internal reporting requirements, (8) Procedures for notification to parents of both the victim and perpetrator, along with a provision for a waiver of notification from the superintendent if deemed in the best interest of the victim or perpetrator, (9) Procedures for investigation of reports, (10) Requirement that the principal or designee report all substantiated incidents of bullying or cyberbullying to the superintendent or designee, and develop a response to remediate any substantiated incidents, (11) Procedures for communication with parents or guardians of victims an perpetrators regarding the school’s remedies and assistance within 10 days of completion of the investigation, and (12) Identification of school officials responsible for ensuring policy implementation.

RSA 193-F:2-5 (2010) requires each school district and chartered school to annually report all substantiated incidents of bullying and cyberbullying to the department of education. In addition, it provides immunity from civil liability for employees, parents, volunteers and others associated with the school for the reporting, investigation, findings, recommended response, or implementation of a recommended response to bullying or cyberbullying. It also allows a school district or chartered public school to establish a separate discrimination or harassment policy that includes categories of pupils.

State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.04 requires local school boards to implement policies and procedures relative to student harassment, including bullying, and sexual harassment.

Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is defined in RSA 193-F:2-5 (2010). The statute requires the school board of each district and the board of trustees of a chartered public school to adopt a policy prohibiting bullying and cyberbullying. Requirements of the policy are outlined in the statute. Schools must report all substantiated incidents of bullying and cyberbullying to the Department of Education on an annual basis.

Hazing: State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.04 requires local school boards to implement policies and procedures relative to student hazing. RSA 631:7 (1993) classifies any person whose actions is likely or would be perceived as hazing guilty of a class B misdemeanor. Further, any educational institution that knowingly permits, fails to take reasonable measures of authority to prevent student hazing or fails to report to law enforcement agencies is also guilty of a misdemeanor.

Response and Management Plans: No state policy.

Reporting Incidents of Violence: RSA 193-D:4 (2001) requires school employees or employees contracted by the school or school district who have witnessed or have information from the victim of an act of theft, destruction, or violence in a safe school zone to their supervisors in writing immediately. They in turn must forward such information to the school principal who must then file it with local law enforcement. Reports must include names and addresses, if known, of suspects and witnesses and the identification of the alleged act.

RSA 193-F:3 (2004) requires school employees or employees contracted by the school or school district to report witnessed incidents or reliable information of bullying or harassment to the principal, who must then report the incident to the superintendent and the school board.

RSA 631:7 (1993) requires educational institutions to report incidences of student hazing to law enforcement authorities.

RSA 155:66 (1991) and 126-K:7 (1998) prohibit smoking in public educational facilities at all times during the hours of operation. RSA 155:70 (1991), also known as the Indoor Smoking Act, requires smoking restrictions signs to be posted in all schools.

Education Rule 306.07 (1996) requires exhaust and outdoor air ventilation and proper temperature and humidity conditions in school buildings that meet the standards set forth in Education Rule 321.18 (2005) and the state building code.

Education Rule 306.07 (1996) requires exhaust and outdoor air ventilation and proper temperature and humidity conditions in school buildings that meet the standards set forth in Education Rule 321.18 (2005) and the state building code.

RSA 198:15-b (2005) and 198:15-c (2005) entitles school districts to receive additional state funding for school construction projects that meet the criteria of the New England version of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools standards, which includes certain mandatory and optional indoor air quality practices.  The statute conditions the receipt of any state school construction funds on submission of a written maintenance plan for the new facility.

Rule Pes 506.07 (1998) restricts the application of pesticides to hours when there is minimal outdoor activity in residential areas. Pesticide application cannot occur during the hours of the day when children are going to and from school or waiting for school buses or other means of transportation. Further, no application of pesticides shall be made in school buildings and any surrounding property. If pesticide treatment is postponed, the school shall be provided notification 48 hours in advance of the proposed date of treatment.

No state policy.

Vision and Hearing: No state policy.

Chronic Health Conditions: No state policy.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening: No state policy.

Staff Administration: RSA 200:27 (1971) allows school districts to provide school health services that include school nurse and school physician services to every child in the district.

State Board of Education Rule Ed 311.02 (2004) requires local boards to develop policies that incorporate written authorization from a licensed prescriber stating the name, route, and dosage of medication, frequency and time of administration, and possible side effects of adverse reactions, a written request from a parent or guardian that includes emergency contact information, approval of a school nurse to administer the medication, and a list of all the medications. The school nurse also has the responsibility of developing and communicating a system of documenting observations related to the prescriptions.

Self-Administration of Asthma Medication: RSA 200:46 (2003) allows a pupil to possess and use a metered dose inhaler or a dry powder inhaler to alleviate asthma symptoms provided that that pupil's physician and parent/guardian submit written approval. The physician must provide the name, route, and dosage of medication, the frequency and time of medication administration, the date of the order, specific recommendations for administration, any special side effects, contraindications, and adverse reactions, the name of each required medication, and emergency contact information.

Self-Administration of Anaphylaxis Medication: RSA 200:42 (2003) allows a pupil with severe, potentially life-threatening allergies to possess and self-administer an epinephrine auto-injector if written approvals by the pupil's physician and parent or guardian are provided. The approval by the physician must include the pupil's name, the name and signature of the licensed prescriber and business and emergency numbers, the name, route, and dosage of medication, the frequency and time of medication administration, the date of the order, a diagnosis requiring medications, specific recommendations for administration, any side effects, the name of each required medication, and any adverse reactions that may occur to another pupil, for whom the epinephrine auto-injector is not prescribed, should such a pupil receive a dose of the medication.

RSA 200:43 (2003) further instructs the pupil to report to the nurse's office (or principal's office) to enable the nurse to provide appropriate follow-up care immediately after using the epinephrine auto-injector during the school day. RSA 200:44 (2003) requires the school nurse or principal to maintain at least one epipen auto-injector for the student's use in an accessible location if provided by the students.

RSA 200:45 and 200:47 (2003) protect school districts and employees from liability for damages resulting in a pupil's use of an epipen or inhaler, unless the damages were caused by willful or wanton conduct or disregard for the established criteria.

Psychotropic Medications: No state policy.

Storage and Record-keeping: State Board of Education Rule Ed 311.02 requires all prescription medication to be in its original container and stored in a securely-locked cabinet used exclusively for medications. The school nurse is also required to develop a system for documenting and communicating observations relating to medication's effectiveness and adverse reactions.

Requirement to Provide Services: State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.13 (2005) requires schools to develop and implement a written plan for the school's comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program.

Identification of Students with Mental or Emotional Disorders: State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.39 (2005) requires school guidance and counseling programs to provide for the responsive services, which include crisis assessment and referral.

Substance Abuse: State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.39 requires school guidance and counseling programs to provide for the responsive services, which include substance and abuse issues.

Suicide Prevention: State Board of Education Rule Ed 306.39 requires school guidance and counseling programs to provide for the responsive services, which include crisis assessment and referral.

HIV, STD, and Pregnancy Testing and Counseling: No state policy.

Immunity of Liability: No state policy.

Detailed, current information about immunization requirements by state is maintained by the National Network for Immunization Information.  Select your state from the drop down box under Search for State Vaccine Requirements for School Entry."

Exemptions: RSA 141-C:20-c (2002) allows for exemption from immunization requirements under the following circumstances: (1) Certification from a licensed physician that immunization against a particular disease may be detrimental to a child's health, or (2) Submission of a signed, notarized form stating that the child has not been immunized because of religious beliefs.  In the case of a medical exemption, the exemption shall exist only for the length of time, in the opinion of the physician, such immunization would be detrimental to the child.  An exemption from immunization from one disease shall not affect other required immunizations.

New Hampshire has no state law or administrative rule that addresses attendance for students with HIV. However, the department of education offers a guidance document, “Policy Guidelines to Reduce the Risk of Disease Transmission” [no direct link available], which outline procedures for dealing with HIV-positive students. The New Hampshire Department of Education states that HIV mandatory or random testing for HIV cannot be required by the school district as a condition for entry or attendance at school. In addition, students with HIV/AIDS who are capable will not be restricted from recreational sports, intramural, or interscholastic athletic participation.

State-level: The Council for Children and Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions advises and collaborates with various state departments to increase awareness of issues regarding children and chronic health conditions. Details of the duties of the Council are outlined in RSA 126-J:3 (1997).

Local-level: No state policy.

State-level: No state policy.

Local-level: No state policy.

Student Health-Related Records: No state policy.

Student Health-Related Services: No state policy.