Kim Fudge: Umberger purposely ducked voting on controversial parents right bill

To the editor:

HB 1431 was one of the most critical bills in the House of Representatives this year. This was the bill to establish a “parental bill of rights” that would have mandated extensive reporting requirements for schools. The bill was opposed by the NH Attorney General’s Office, LBGTQ rights groups and teachers’ unions, who were concerned that this legislation would require schools to “out” trans students to their parents. This practice could have been dangerous for some students and might discourage students from seeking help at school.