HB 1720 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to notify licensed child care providers electronically within 3 business days when a family applies for a child care scholarship naming that provider. The notice must include the child's name, anticipated start date (if provided), and the application's pending status. It also mandates follow-up electronic notifications within 3 business days if the application is approved, denied, or withdrawn. This bill directly affects licensed child care providers and the state agency managing the scholarship program, streamlining communication about scholarship applications. The law specifies secure electronic transmission and does not alter funding or eligibility criteria.
HB 1098 allows New Hampshire municipalities to deny building or occupancy permits for properties adjacent to class VI highways if specific conditions aren't met. It requires towns to first vote to permit construction after planning board review, explicitly state they won’t maintain the road or assume liability for damages, and ensure applicants record this notice in property records. The bill directly affects property owners seeking to build near class VI roads and local governments managing land use. It becomes effective July 2, 2026, clarifying when municipalities may consider road safety and maintenance in permit decisions.
HB 1612 prohibits landlords from using price-fixing websites, algorithms, or software to set rental prices, making such use a violation of New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Act. It directly affects landlords who employ these tools, requiring them to stop using such software or face enforcement actions. The bill establishes a process where tenants or others can file complaints with the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Bureau, which must investigate these claims. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and would require one additional attorney position at an estimated annual cost of $72,000 starting in 2027, though no funding is provided in the bill.
HR 38 authorizes the New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee to investigate whether there is cause to impeach a New Hampshire Supreme Court justice, following recent criminal charges against Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi. The committee may subpoena witnesses and documents to gather evidence related to the justice's conduct, including past legal actions and pleas. It must report its findings and recommendations to the full House of Representatives. This resolution is a procedural step based on constitutional impeachment standards, not a policy change.
HB 1741 requires New Hampshire electric utilities to create programs that coordinate customer-owned distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar panels, batteries, and smart thermostats to support the grid. Utilities must file proposals with the Public Utilities Commission for enrollment programs offering upfront payments and performance-based payments during grid events, with special incentives for low-income customers. The bill establishes rules for aggregators (third-party coordinators) and direct customer participation, including payment structures, equipment requirements, and restrictions on penalties. It aims to reduce peak demand, lower costs for ratepayers, and improve grid reliability by integrating existing DERs into utility-managed systems.
HB 1814 establishes a 10-year statewide strategic housing and infrastructure plan (SHIP) that requires the governor to develop and update the plan every two years. The plan must identify housing needs, incorporate regional infrastructure projects, and include public input through hearings in each executive council district. It directly affects state agencies (like the Department of Business and Economic Affairs), municipalities (which must update master plans every 10 years), and regional planning organizations. The bill also expands the Council on Housing Stability’s membership to include regional planning representatives and housing advocates, ensuring broader input into housing strategy.
HB 1317 strengthens patient privacy protections in New Hampshire by prohibiting state agencies, contractors, vendors, and grant recipients from sharing personally identifiable medical, disability, or mental health data with the federal government or third parties - unless specific conditions apply. These exceptions include obtaining an individual’s written consent, complying with existing law or court orders, or disclosing data to provide necessary health care services. The bill also requires that any permitted disclosure share only the minimum necessary data and prioritize de-identified information when possible. It explicitly affirms that these state rules do not override federal privacy laws like HIPAA or the ADA, and violations could result in civil penalties enforced by the attorney general.
HB 1653 requires freestanding hospital emergency facilities (FHEFs) to allow patients receiving emergency care to choose their transfer destination hospital, rather than being limited to the parent hospital that owns or operates the FHEF. The bill mandates that FHEFs provide this choice when a transfer is medically necessary and the selected hospital can treat the patient's condition, while prohibiting practices like conditioning treatment on transfers to affiliated hospitals or steering patients toward the parent facility. It also requires FHEFs to document the patient's transfer preference and forbids exclusive contracts with emergency medical services that restrict transfer options. These provisions aim to protect patient autonomy, prevent anti-competitive behavior, and ensure continuity of care during emergency transfers.
HB 1446 ensures that individuals registered in New Hampshire's therapeutic cannabis program cannot be denied the right to buy, own, or possess firearms solely due to their lawful cannabis use. The bill amends state law to explicitly state that qualifying patients' participation in the medical cannabis program does not disqualify them from exercising Second Amendment rights under New Hampshire law. Key provisions prevent state agencies from cooperating with federal enforcement actions targeting patients for firearm possession while legally using cannabis, and require the attorney general to defend such patients in federal court. This directly affects registered medical cannabis users in New Hampshire by removing a specific barrier to firearm rights created by federal law. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1798 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver by November 1, 2026, to add diaper coverage under Medicaid for infants' first year of life. The bill directly affects Medicaid-eligible infants (approximately 4,000 annually) and their families, providing coverage for 100 diapers per month during the child's first 12 months. It appropriates $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund the program, with federal matching funds expected to cover most costs. Implementation depends on federal CMS approval, with a target start date of May 1, 2027, if approved.
HB 1640 requires New Hampshire school districts to obtain a yearly written consent form from parents or legal guardians before accessing a child's Medicaid or expanded Medicaid benefits for school-related services. This applies specifically to students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans, covering all allowable Medicaid billing for the child's education services. The bill mandates a single annual signature (in paper or digital format) that suffices for all relevant billing, eliminating the need for repeated consents for different services. Schools must also obtain new consent when a student transfers to a new district.
HB 1396 amends New Hampshire law to prohibit filling vacancies in the state House of Representatives. Specifically, it revises RSA 661:10 to state that "if a vacancy occurs in the office of state representative... the vacancy shall not be filled." This policy change directly affects constituents in the affected district, as the seat remains vacant until the next general election. The bill does not apply to other offices like state senators or executive councilors, which retain existing vacancy procedures under different constitutional provisions. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.
