Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte vetoed HB 446, a bill that proposed changing the Youth Risk Behavior Survey from an opt-out to an opt-in format. The current state law already provides an opt-out option for parents who prefer their children not to participate in the survey.
Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, expressed her support for the veto. She stated, “We should all agree that it is critical that schools, families, communities, and the state work together to provide New Hampshire youth with the tools, resources, and supports they need to learn and thrive.”
Tuttle emphasized the importance of the survey by saying it helps identify trends in youth mental health and substance use. This information allows the state to develop effective prevention programs. “That’s why NEA-New Hampshire is grateful that Governor Ayotte vetoed HB 446,” she said. According to Tuttle, reducing participation in this survey could have harmed efforts to gather useful insights from data crucial for supporting New Hampshire youth.
NEA-New Hampshire is known as the largest union of public employees in New Hampshire. Founded in 1854 as part of the National Education Association’s founding ten state education associations, NEA-NH now has more than 17,000 members dedicated to advocating for children and public-school employees across the state.
