Every day, Granite State schools, parents, and communities work together to maximize student academic achievement and enhance life outcomes to keep our state prosperous, safe, and thriving.
But how do local communities know where to focus prevention resources? One way has been through the confidential Youth Risk Behavior Survey, also called the YRBS.
This completely anonymous and voluntary survey allows young people to share their real-life experiences while maintaining their privacy. The YRBS is tailored to meet the specific needs of Granite State students and families and requires only about 40 minutes every two years.
Learn More about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Topics of focus include many of the leading causes of death and poor health, such as:
• Mental health
• Intentional and unintentional injuries
• Risky sexual behaviors
• Alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
• Physical activity, obesity, and nutrition
• Asthma
• Bullying and violence
By gathering factual, scientifically-validated information, the trusted research of the YRBS helps parents, schools, and communities learn how to better prevent young people from engaging in unsafe or unhealthy behaviors. Because the YRBS has been given since 1993, it allows us to see how trends have changed over time and when we are making improvements or facing setbacks.
Importantly, asking students about risky behaviors does not make it more likely they will engage in them1. Still, parents are able to review the questions before their child(ren) participate, and are able to opt out. New Hampshire school districts are required to make the questionnaire available on their website and notify families at least 10 days before the survey is given. Students must be told the survey is voluntary and may choose not to participate even without an opt-out form.
But the more students participate, the clearer the picture will be of where students are doing well and where parents, schools, and communities need to target future efforts. Parents have the greatest influence on teen decisions about risky behavior, and the YRBS helps them better guide their child(ren)2.
About the Bill
The original language of House Bill 446 would have merely added a requirement that schools share a copy of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questions with families via email at least ten days before students take the survey.
However, a committee amendment to the bill altered the language and now the bill would change the survey from an opt-out to an opt-in, which could significantly reduce participation and no longer show a clear picture of the behaviors of Granite State youth. This could hamper the efforts of parents, schools, and communities to keep young people healthy.
Take Action
*Most Effective* Call Governor Ayotte — (Script Provided)
Call Governor Kelly Ayotte's office at 603-271-2121.
If you call outside of State House hours, you may leave a message along with your name, your town, and your phone number.
Many advocates find it helpful to prepare before making a call. Please find a sample script below.
Hi, I'm calling with a message for Governor Ayotte. My name is [First and Last Name] and I'm a constituent from [Your Town].
I am calling to ask you to veto House Bill 446.
Choose a few of the suggested points below:
- I appreciate your service to our state.
- Share a personal story about why the health of New Hampshire youth is important to you, how the YRBS impacts your work, etc.
- The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a valid and reliable tool developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1991.
- Monitors key health & wellness indicators for school-aged youth.
- This survey empowers students to have their voices heard.
- In New Hampshire, the YRBS is administered every two years for high school students through voluntarily participating schools (at no cost to local schools). The high hchool YRBS is co-funded by the Dept. of Public Health and the Bureau of Drug & Alcohol Services.
- The YRBS is an important tool that is used to implement positive changes.
- Participation in the survey does not encourage use of substances or other unhealthy behaviors.
- The YRBS helps track changes in youth behaviors, without this information dozens of programs and millions of dollars of prevention funding would be lost to NH.
- These questions are developmentally- and age-appropriate.
- Transitioning to an opt-in model would reduce participation such that any data collected is not valid or useful. This has occurred in other states that use an opt-in model (e.g. Arizona, Georgia).
- STUDENT PRIVACY IS ALWAYS OF UTMOST CONCERN.
- Student privacy remains a number one priority.
- The questionnaire is specifically designed to protect the anonymity of students.
- No names or other types of personally identifying information are ever collected.
- Neither survey administrators nor classroom teachers wander around the classroom while students are taking the survey.
- Transparency and Parent Communication have always been key priorities.
- School districts must notify parents of a non-academic survey or questionnaire and its purpose.
- A copy of the questionnaire must be made available at the school and on the school or school district's website, for review by a student's parent or legal guardian at least 10 days prior to distribution to students.
- Student Choice has always been a key priority.
- Students may choose at any time to opt out of the survey.
- Students may choose to reconsider their participation and take part in a makeup session.
- Students who choose not to participate are not required to provide a parental opt-out form.
- All students must be told that the survey is voluntary and anonymous.
- Thank you for your time and consideration. Please vetoHB 446.
Easy Email Template: Ask Gov. Ayotte to Veto HB 446
Share Your Story
Will you share your experience to help protect the Youth Risk Behavior Survey?
Stories are powerful tools that can be shared with lawmakers and the public to influence policy change. New Futures can help you develop effective ways to share
your story.
- Are you a prevention professional whose work depends on data from the YRBS?
- Are you a parent who wants to ensure you have the insights you need about today's youth?
- Are you a young person who feels it is important for teen voices to be heard?
Bill Status
January 22: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 446.
March 12: An unusual second opportunity for public input was held due to there being an amendment that would significantly change the impact of the bill.
March 17: Unfortunately, the committee voted along party lines at the executive session to approve the harmful amendment and recommend that the House of Representatives as a whole support the bill.
March 27: The bill passed the House of Representatives with amendment and crossed over to the Senate.
May 6: The Senate Education Committee had a public hearing where members of the public could weigh in.
May 13: The Senate Education Committee voted 3-2 in an executive session to recommend against passing HB 446 to the full Senate. This is also called a vote of "inexpedient to legislate". Thank you to Senators Debra Altschiller (D-Stratham), Suzanne Prentiss (D-Lebanon), and Ruth Ward (R-Stoddard) for opposing this harmful bill!
May 22: The committee's recommendation was overturned on the Senate floor. The full Senate voted 16-8 along party lines to approve the bill. You can see how State Senators voted here (click on "Ought to Pass (16-8).
Next: As HB 446 does not have a fiscal note and the same version of the bill was passed in each chamber, it does not need to go to the Senate Finance Committee or a Committee of Conference. The bill will be carefully examined for technical errors by the Office of Legislative Services, signed off on by members of the House and Senate Enrolled Bills Committees, and then by the House Speaker and Senate President. It will then be sent to the Secretery of State, who will then send the bill to Governor Ayotte. She will have five days to sign it or veto it. Without action, it will become law. See below for how to contact Gov. Ayotte to ask her to veto this harmful bill.
You can learn more about how New Hampshire's legislative process works on our About the Legislature webpage, or take one of our advocacy trainings.
