This bill updates New Hampshire law to require schools, school districts, and public academies to perform criminal history checks on all job applicants before making a final employment offer. It allows school leaders to negotiate with unions to conduct these background checks on a recurring basis rather than just once, ensuring ongoing safety for students and staff. Additionally, the legislation provides legal protection for schools that follow these procedures, shielding them from negligence lawsuits if they properly complete the required background checks.
HB 1592 would have prohibited the use of Education Freedom Account funds at religious schools or for religious education and training. The bill also sought to repeal existing rules that prevented the program from discriminating against providers based on religious policies and required them to remain independent. By removing these protections, the legislation aimed to allow state education funds to be used at religious institutions without restriction. Although the bill passed a committee vote, it was ultimately tabled and did not become law.
Died on Table, Session ended 10/10/2024 HJ 17
HB 1297 would have required local towns to prove that any new rules restricting how people use their land directly protect community health or safety. The bill also sought to stop municipalities from banning specific housing types, building sizes, or energy technologies if they met state and federal safety standards. Additionally, it would have allowed towns to pass ordinances limiting certain business activities based on scientific evidence of their impact on residents and the environment. Although the bill aimed to give communities more power to regulate land use, it was ultimately tabled and did not become law.
This bill would regulate wakeboating and wakesports in New Hampshire by defining specific terms and establishing safety rules for these activities. It prohibits wakesports between sunset and sunrise, on waters smaller than 50 acres, within 500 feet of shorelines, and in areas less than 20 feet deep. The legislation also bans wakesports behind boats with propulsion systems extending beyond the swim platform and requires the state commissioner to create maps identifying legal zones for these activities. Although the bill passed committee review, it was ultimately removed from consideration and did not become law before the legislative session ended.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure New Hampshire's presidential primary is the first such contest held in the nation. It requires the state's primary to take place at least one week before any other similar nominating events, directly affecting how presidential candidates compete for support early in election cycles. The measure would be voted on by New Hampshire residents during the November 2024 general election, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass and become law. If approved, this change would permanently alter the state constitution to codify New Hampshire's current status as the first primary state.
Died on Table, Session ended 10/10/2024 HJ 17
This bill updates regulations for the New Hampshire Board of Optometry by expanding the types of pharmaceutical agents that licensed optometrists can dispense to patients, including specific oral pain relievers and certain vaccines. It establishes a dedicated funding source to support health professional licensing boards and clarifies that pharmacy inspections will be conducted by trained pharmacists rather than the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Additionally, the legislation amends the legal definition of the practice of optometry to explicitly include the diagnosis and treatment of acute angle closure glaucoma while listing specific surgical procedures that remain outside the scope of optometric practice.
This bill proposes to set a new speed limit of 45 miles per hour on unimproved rural highways, which are defined as areas adjacent to two-lane roads that lack paved shoulders and have low-density driveway access. The legislation directly affects drivers traveling on these specific roadways by establishing a maximum speed that is lower than the current 55 miles per hour limit applicable to other locations. It also creates a new legal definition for "unimproved rural highway" to clarify which roads fall under this restriction and updates the fine schedule for speeding violations to align with the new limit.
Died on Table, Session ended 10/10/2024 HJ 17
This bill would allow members of the New Hampshire General Court to join the state employee assistance program run by the Department of Health and Human Services. The costs for this participation would be covered by funds from the legislative branch rather than the individual legislators. The legislation specifies that the program's per-person fees are to be paid directly to the department by the legislative branch. Although the bill was introduced, it was ultimately laid on the table and did not become law during the 2024 session.
This bill, known as the Anti-Sanctuary Act, would require state and local law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. It explicitly prohibits any government entity from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration requests, such as honoring detainers or withholding inmate information. While the law mandates efforts to support federal enforcement, it includes specific exceptions that prevent the use of immigration status information against victims or witnesses of certain serious crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault. If a local agency violates these requirements, the state attorney general could file a lawsuit to stop the policy and seek court orders to enforce compliance.
