CONCORD, N.H, – House lawmakers have passed a bill that would restrict what type of flags can be flown at public schools in the Granite State.
According to House Bill 1132 only the U.S. flag, the New Hampshire state flag and the POW/MIA flag would be on display both inside and outside schools, however officials note that there would be some exceptions made for banners used in instruction of foreign languages, world geography, math, language arts and U.S. history.
The bill would also allow for flags representing the U.S. military, and a town or city to be displayed.
Officials note that the bill also features penalties, with the first being a warning, the second would lead to disciplinary from the school district and the third would result in being reported to the state Board of Education.
Critics claim the bill stifles people’s freedom of speech, however the bill’s sponsor Rep. Lisa Freeman, R-Tilton says ” HB1132 respects community diversity by avoiding symbolic favoritisms and does not erase education, expression or history from our schools.
