New Hampshire

NH schools are currently required to provide period products. New bill looks to end that

Published

11 months ago

January 24, 2025

NH schools are currently required to provide period products. New bill looks to end that

In 2019, Rochester teen Caroline Dillon spearheaded the passage of a law to mandate New Hampshire schools provide free feminine hygiene products such as pads and tampons to help students without access and to fight the stigma around periods.

But this year, some Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to remove this requirement, saying it goes against the state constitution.

HB 415 sponsor, state Rep. Katy Peternel, R-Wolfeboro, said to the House Education Policy and Administration committee on Wednesday that while she doesn’t “have an issue” with supplying free menstrual products in restrooms, requiring schools to bear the costs of supplying the products is an “unfunded mandate.”

Why are menstrual products mandated in NH schools?

Current New Hampshire law requires all New Hampshire middle and high schools to provide free feminine hygiene products in dispensers in their female and gender neutral bathrooms.

Dillon, who was a senior at Spaulding High School at the time, brought a mock version of the bill to then state Sen. Martha Hennessey, D-Hanover after learning about “period poverty” in school. The term refers to when girls and women miss things like work or learning time because they can’t afford feminine hygiene products.

Dillon said that she knew girls at her school who would stay home or raise their risk of infection by using socks or newspapers if they didn’t have access to period products when on their cycle.

“To think about my classmates being in need and not having the access to something so basic is just awful,” Dillon told Seacoastonline at the time. “I couldn’t really let that go.”

Dillon also wanted to end the stigma and taboo associated with period products. She believed they should be treated like toilet paper, which is already provided to students for another essential bodily function.

“SB 142 will help ensure young women in New Hampshire public schools will have the freedom to learn without disruption — and free of shame or fear of stigma,” former NH Gov. Chris Sununu said when he signed the bill into law.

Why do legislators want to remove this requirement?

Opponents of the law in 2019 said that it would be an unfunded mandated and could burden taxpayers in already cash-strapped school districts.

Peternel and the other Republican sponsors have a similar argument this time around, saying this law goes against the state constitution’s prohibition on mandating “new, expanded or modified programs or responsibilities to any political subdivision” unless fully funded by the state.

Under the law, schools bear the cost of supplying menstrual hygiene products. School districts can also seek grants to meet this obligation.

Rep. Jess Edwards, R-Auburn, another sponsor of the bill, said that the requirement is “offensive” and unnecessary and that schools will continue to provide products without it.

Over 1,700 oppose removing requirement

On Wednesday, all speakers besides the two sponsors opposed the bill. On the New Hampshire legislature’s website, over 1,700 people signed on in opposition to HB 415. In contrast, 23 signed on in support.

At the hearing, seventh-grader Abigail Banner said that not having menstrual products in her private school requires her to make a plan whenever she is on her cycle. She described one time where she had to use toilet paper because she did not have enough time to go back to her locker to retrieve a pad.

“I could ask my friends for help, but since there’s so much taboo and shame when it comes to talking about periods openly, it would require, well, an entire well thought out plan to not get caught by a suspicious teacher,” she said.

Michael Apfelberg, the president of United Way of Nashua, pushed back against the concern about it being an unfunded mandate, saying he thinks the funding involved is minimal and that it’s worth it for the benefits of improved health and wellness for students, minimized stigma, and raised class attendance.

As of December 2024, 28 states have legislation providing free access to menstrual products in schools.

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New Hampshire

Walk Through 3 Million Incredible Lights at New England’s Largest Holiday Light Show

Published

2 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Walk Through 3 Million Incredible Lights at New England’s Largest Holiday Light Show

Have you heard of Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?

It’s touted as “New England’s largest and most spectacular holiday light show,” and it’s just one more incredible event you should check out this Christmas season.

According to its website, Holly Jolly Journey has added a million lights for this recent season, meaning there are now over 3 million dazzling lights you can take in while walking through.

What Is Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?

Located at Mel’s Funway Park in Litchfield, Holly Jolly Journey is a walk-through Christmas light event that spans over 2/3 of a mile and features some incredible displays all along the way.

Some of the spectacular things you can see include Santa’s Workshop, Candy Cane Lane, Twinkly Tunnel and Teddy’s Christmas Corner, among others.

The walk is truly mesmerizingly festive.

The Holly Jolly Journey website also notes some new stuff for the 2025/26 season, including additions to almost every scene along the walk, more trees lit, more food and drink stations, a new 28-foot centerpiece, and a new indoor party suite.

When is the Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?

According to its website, the Holly Jolly Journey takes place from the day after Thanksgiving through January 11. It is closed on Christmas Eve.

There are multiple time slots to choose from, starting at 4:30 p.m. and with the last time slot of the day being at 10 p.m. (for those late-night holiday owls).

It should take about an hour to complete, but you can take as long as you’d like.

READ MORE: New Hampshire’s Dazzling 2-Mile Holiday Drive-Thru With 3 Million Lights Returns for 2025

Have you decided which holiday experience you should do this season? You certainly don’t have to limit yourself to one, and Holly Jolly Journey is one you might want to consider. With over 3 million lights and incredible displays on a festive walk perfect for the family, you’ll be soaking up the sparkle of Christmas in the best way possible.

You’ll also have so many Instagram-worthy pics with that glowing backdrop!

25 New Hampshire Towns That Would Be Perfect for a Christmas Movie

Gallery Credit: Kira

New England’s Top Christmas Towns Are Perfect for a Magical Winter Getaway

Gallery Credit: Megan

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New Hampshire

New Hampshire woman arrested after high-speed chase ends in crash

Published

14 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

New Hampshire woman arrested after high-speed chase ends in crash

DOVER, New Hampshire (WGME) — A New Hampshire woman is facing charges after reportedly speeding more than 100 miles per hour during a police chase.

New Hampshire State Police say it happened Saturday night on Route 16 in Dover.

Troopers say they tried to pull over the driver, Stephanie Dupont, but she took off at high speed.

Troopers say they followed her to Exit 3, where she veered off the road.

After the crash, they say she jumped out of the car and tried to flee on foot.

An off-duty officer from Ogunquit happened to be near by and was able to stop her.

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Officials say Dupont suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

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New Hampshire

Judge strikes down challenge to NH absentee voting law

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Judge strikes down challenge to NH absentee voting law

A superior court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of visually impaired New Hampshire voters who argued a newly passed absentee voter law violates the state constitution.

In a lawsuit filed this summer, the plaintiffs alleged the measure, which was backed by state Republicans, places a disproportionate burden on people with disabilities by making it harder to vote.

On Friday, New Hampshire Superior Court Judge David Ruoff dismissed the case, ruling that the new policies are reasonable.

The new law requires people requesting an absentee ballot to prove their identity in one of three ways: either mail in a photocopy of an ID, along with their ballot application; have their ballot application notarized; or show an ID at town hall prior to an election.

In his opinion, Ruoff said, “The identification requirements impose ordinary burdens on all absentee voters, and the possibility that it may cause additional burden on a subset of absentee voters does not render the entire statute unconstitutional.”

It isn’t clear if the plaintiffs will appeal the ruling to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

“We appreciate the Court’s recognition that the identification requirements for absentee voters are reasonable, constitutional, and consistent with New Hampshire’s long-standing election practices,” said New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, who defended the law in court.

New Hampshire residents who vote in person are already required to show an ID at the polls when requesting a ballot. Supporters of the new law say the same safeguards should be in place for those voters who request an absentee ballot.

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