This bill establishes a patient's right to receive sterilization treatment in New Hampshire if they are at least 18 years old and request it. For patients with a medical condition where sterilization is advisable, doctors cannot refuse the procedure based on age, number of children, or assumptions about future reproductive desires, provided the patient signs an informed consent form. If a patient seeks sterilization unrelated to a medical condition, physicians must refer them to another doctor willing to perform the procedure and accept their payment method if they cannot do so themselves. The law also clarifies that patients who proceed with sterilization against medical advice generally cannot sue providers for being rendered sterile, except in cases of purposeful, reckless, or negligent conduct.
HB 1689 updates the rules for how state agencies handle personal identifying information within vital records. The bill clarifies that terms like "personal identifiers" include names, addresses, and social security numbers, while restricting the Department of Health and Human Services from accessing these specific details. It establishes a requirement for the Secretary of State to provide continuous electronic access to statistical mortality and natality data, excluding any restricted adoption records or court-protected files. Additionally, the legislation allows for the sharing of health-related data for research purposes under strict conditions, including federal HIPAA compliance and a mandatory review process before any release occurs.
This bill would allow electric distribution utilities in New Hampshire to recover the costs associated with net energy metering, a program that lets customers generate their own electricity and sell it back to the grid. Under the proposed changes, utilities must use a specific recovery mechanism approved by the state commission to cover these expenses, which are added to the list of allowable costs for rate-setting purposes. The legislation also clarifies that costs related to retiring certain power generation assets and fulfilling employee protection obligations remain recoverable. If passed, the bill would take effect 60 days after its enactment, though a recent committee review did not recommend it for future legislation.
This bill establishes specific responsibilities for correctional facilities regarding the transfer and medical care of inmates. It mandates that facilities housing prisoners are responsible for arranging and conducting transfers to medical facilities using certified staff, while also requiring them to accept prisoners ordered by courts and provide necessary medical evaluations. Additionally, the legislation ensures that correctional facilities retain custody and security control over inmates even when they are admitted to medical facilities for treatment. The bill would take effect 60 days after its passage but was ultimately not recommended for future legislation during an interim study.
HB 1040 would change how interest is calculated on property tax refunds when a taxpayer receives a tax abatement. Currently, the interest rate is fixed at 4 percent, but this bill proposes that the rate be set by the Department of Revenue Administration and then increased by two percentage points. The change applies to interest paid from the date the taxes were originally paid until the refund is issued. Although the bill was referred for an interim study, it was not recommended for future legislation, meaning the proposed changes were not adopted.
This bill proposes to expand the authority of budget committees in cooperative school districts, giving them similar powers to municipal budget committees regarding school funding. Under the new rules, these committees would review and evaluate all proposed spending plans, including any requests to use capital reserves, before the town meeting can consider them. Additionally, no spending proposals would appear on the official ballot unless the committee approves them, and the committee's vote on each item would be printed alongside the ballot for voters to see. The legislation aims to ensure that cooperative school district budgets undergo a formal review process before being presented to the public for a vote.
This bill establishes rules for digital asset mining businesses in New Hampshire, allowing them to operate in areas zoned for industrial use. It prevents local governments from imposing specific restrictions on mining operations that do not also apply to data centers, such as unique noise limits or discriminatory utility rates. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that individuals mining at home are not classified as money transmitters and ensures mining businesses retain their right to appeal zoning changes. The bill also prohibits local authorities from rezoning areas specifically to discourage mining activities or from creating special rate schedules that target these businesses.
Interim Study Report: Recommended for Future Legislation (Vote 20-0)
This bill requires employers in New Hampshire to inform their employees about resources available to support veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Specifically, employers must provide written notice or post a visible notice containing contact information for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD. The law applies to all employers and mandates that this information be shared with staff to ensure access to support services. If an employer fails to comply with this requirement, they could face civil penalties enforced by the state Department of Labor. The bill would become effective 60 days after it is passed into law.
HB 1676 creates a Sunset Commission to evaluate New Hampshire's occupational licensing boards and determine if they should continue existing. The commission, made up of members appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and the public, will assess whether current regulations are necessary for consumer safety or if less restrictive alternatives like voluntary certification or market competition would suffice. Based on its findings, the bill proposes repealing or modifying the authority of numerous boards over the next six years, starting with acupuncture and body art practitioners in 2025 and ending with real estate and physical therapy boards in 2030. Ultimately, the legislation aims to reduce regulatory barriers while ensuring that any remaining restrictions are the least intrusive methods needed to protect public health and safety.
Interim Study Report: Not Recommended for Future Legislation (Vote 16-0)
HB 1089 changes the time limit for filing lawsuits related to harm caused by PFAS exposure, a type of chemical found in various consumer products. Under current law, individuals generally have six years from the date they discover their injury to file a civil suit, but this bill would remove that six-year restriction entirely. The new rule allows people to bring these legal actions at any time after they discover the injury and understand its connection to PFAS exposure. This change directly affects individuals seeking damages for PFAS-related health issues and the entities potentially held responsible for such exposure. The legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.
