New Hampshire has passed a new law requiring public school employees to disclose information about a student’s transgender identity to their parents or legal guardians if requested in writing.

Governor Kelly Ayotte signed Senate Bill 430 into law earlier this month. The legislation requires educators to provide parents with what it calls “material information” about their child, even if a student has asked that the information remain confidential or fears negative consequences at home.

The law reverses a 2024 New Hampshire Supreme Court ruling, which found that keeping a student’s gender identity private in certain circumstances did not violate parents’ rights. The court said parents still had many opportunities to support and communicate with their children outside the classroom.

Supporters of the new law say it strengthens parental rights. Republican State Senator Tim Lang argues parents need access to this information so they can better support children who may be struggling, including watching for signs of self-harm.

But educators and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups say the legislation could put vulnerable students at risk. Megan Tuttle, president of the state’s largest teachers’ union, says the law is too vague and could force teachers into outing students against their wishes. She says schools should be places where every student feels safe, seen and free to be themselves.

LGBTQ+ advocacy group 603 Equality also warns the measure could damage trust between students and educators, arguing that requiring teachers to monitor and report sensitive information could undermine the supportive relationships that help students succeed at school.