Katie DeAngelis

Dear Honorable Members of the House Education Policy and Administration, I am writing to express my strong opposition to HB 662, which would require public schools to show students simulated abortion videos as part of health education. This bill is unnecessary, medically misleading, and an inappropriate intrusion into public education curriculum. 1. HB 662 Pushes Politically Motivated and Biased Content into Schools The mandated videos are produced by Live Action, an organization with a clear ideological stance against abortion. These videos are not neutral, medically accepted educational materials; they are designed to promote a particular political and moral viewpoint. Public schools should provide fact-based, comprehensive health education that equips students with accurate medical information, not politically driven content intended to stigmatize reproductive healthcare. Health education should be developed by medical professionals and educators, not dictated by legislation that mandates specific videos from advocacy groups. 2. It Misrepresents Medical Science and Fails to Provide Comprehensive Education HB 662 requires students to watch simulated videos of abortion procedures without ensuring that they receive medically accurate, full-spectrum education on reproductive health, pregnancy, and contraception. Proper health education includes discussions on anatomy, contraception, prenatal care, sexually transmitted infections, and reproductive choices—not just selective content designed to evoke an emotional response. This bill also prohibits schools from working with trusted healthcare providers that offer reproductive services, restricting students’ ability to receive comprehensive and accurate health information. 3. It Undermines Local Control of Education New Hampshire has long valued local control over education. Curriculum decisions should be made by educators, school boards, and parents at the local level—not by the state legislature mandating specific instructional materials. HB 662 imposes a one-size-fits-all approach that disregards the professional expertise of teachers and the diverse needs of students and families. Additionally, this bill creates administrative burdens by requiring schools to submit proof of compliance to the Department of Education, adding unnecessary bureaucracy that takes time and resources away from teaching. 4. It Creates a Harmful and Stigmatizing Learning Environment Mandating students to watch graphic, simulated videos of abortion procedures can be distressing, particularly for students who have personal or family experiences with pregnancy loss, abortion, or reproductive health complications. Forcing students to view emotionally charged material risks creating a hostile or harmful classroom environment rather than fostering informed, respectful discussions about reproductive health. Health education should empower students with knowledge and respect their ability to make personal, informed decisions—not use fear tactics to shame or mislead them. 5. HB 662 is a Waste of State and Local Resources The bill provides standing for the Attorney General to enforce these requirements, potentially leading to lawsuits and enforcement actions that drain public resources. The state should not be diverting funds and legal resources toward enforcing ideological curriculum mandates when our schools already face critical funding challenges. School districts may also face indeterminate costs to comply with this mandate, placing additional financial strain on local budgets without clear benefits to student learning. Conclusion HB 662 is an inappropriate and unnecessary intrusion into public education. It promotes misleading, one-sided content, restricts comprehensive health education, and disregards local control over curriculum. Instead of mandating ideological content, we should trust educators to provide students with accurate, medically sound health education that equips them to make informed decisions. I urge the committee to reject HB 662 and uphold the integrity of New Hampshire’s public education system. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Katie DeAngelis