SB 583 directs New Hampshire's Department of Education to create a public education funding transparency system tracking how state education dollars are allocated, disbursed, and spent over the past decade at the school, district, and intermediate unit levels. The system must include data visualization dashboards for state officials (like the legislature and governor) and public-facing tools showing aggregate, non-identifiable funding data. Key features require the system to integrate diverse data sources, ensure strict privacy compliance (including de-identified data and small cell suppression), and support advanced analytics for forecasting and program evaluation. The bill appropriates $900,000 for system creation and $500,000 annually for maintenance starting in 2027.
SB 626 limits access to New Hampshire government records to individuals who live in the state. It requires anyone outside New Hampshire to provide proof of residency or domicile before submitting a right-to-know request. News organizations based outside New Hampshire are exempt from this residency requirement. The bill amends state law to define "citizen" as someone with a New Hampshire residence and updates procedures for record access.
This resolution designates the first Friday in June as a state day of remembrance for children in New Hampshire killed by gun violence. It directs the state to observe a moment of silence, fly flags at half-staff, and create a permanent memorial in the state house displaying the names of affected children. The resolution also urges Congress to establish a national day of remembrance with a similar memorial in the U.S. Capitol. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws but formalizes commemorative practices for grieving families and communities.
HB 1239 prohibits registered Tier II or Tier III sex offenders (for crimes against children under 13) from appearing within 1,000 feet of childcare facilities, churches, schools, or areas where children commonly gather under circumstances that would alarm reasonable people. This directly affects individuals convicted of sexual offenses against children under 13 who are required to register under New Hampshire law. The bill amends existing loitering statutes to add this specific restriction, creating a new criminal violation for such conduct near child-focused locations. It takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local cost impact.
This bill allows licensed veterinarians in New Hampshire to provide remote veterinary care using telehealth technology, such as video calls or phone consultations. It establishes specific requirements for creating a vet-client-patient relationship remotely, including real-time observation of the animal or access to electronic medical records, and mandates written client consent acknowledging equal care standards and the option for in-person visits. Veterinarians can prescribe medications remotely but must conduct in-person exams for controlled substances (except in hospice, palliative care, or transport emergencies). The law also requires vets to maintain confidentiality, provide emergency care instructions, and keep detailed telehealth records.
HB 1757 would require divorcing couples in New Hampshire to have been married for more than six years to qualify for alimony. It directly affects individuals ending short marriages (six years or less) by prohibiting courts from ordering either term alimony or reimbursement alimony in such cases. The bill amends existing divorce law to set this six-year minimum requirement for alimony requests, which must be filed before the divorce decree or within five years of its effective date. This change applies to all cases filed on or after January 1, 2027.
HB 1004 exempts detached residential buildings with up to four dwelling units (such as single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes) from automatic sprinkler system requirements in new construction, renovations, or conversions. The bill amends state building and fire codes to remove the mandate for sprinklers in these properties while allowing local authorities to require alternative water sources like cisterns or dry hydrants. Existing buildings without sprinklers are not required to retrofit them, and the exemption applies to all new projects starting 60 days after the bill's passage.
HB 1764 sets annual workforce housing targets for New Hampshire municipalities (cities, towns, and unincorporated areas) based on factors like available land, infrastructure access, and proximity to jobs. Municipalities failing to meet 50% of their cumulative target by 2028 must review zoning barriers and develop improvement plans, and may face a special property tax on high-value properties ($1.5M+). The tax revenue funds a revolving loan program offering below-market-rate financing to developers for workforce housing projects and related infrastructure upgrades. This bill directly affects local governments and housing developers by creating accountability measures and new funding streams for affordable housing.
HB 1404 establishes a study committee to examine how property is divided during divorce proceedings in New Hampshire. The committee, composed of five House members (including two from the Children and Family Law Committee) and two Senate members (including one from the same committee), will review state laws and other states' approaches to equitable property division. It must report its findings and any proposed legislative changes to state leaders by November 1, 2026. This bill does not change current divorce laws but sets up a review process to potentially inform future policy.
HB 1313 repeals New Hampshire's current law (RSA 132:37-40) that prohibited people from entering or remaining on public sidewalks adjacent to reproductive health care facilities. This directly affects individuals and groups seeking to engage in free speech activities - such as handing out literature or speaking - near clinic entrances. The key provision removes the buffer zone restriction, allowing people to approach sidewalks without legal penalty. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and has no estimated fiscal impact on state or local governments.
HB 1490 requires scholarship organizations (which manage education freedom accounts) to provide parents with a written explanation of their obligation to notify school districts in writing when ending a home education program. This applies specifically to parents using scholarship programs for home education under New Hampshire law. The bill adds a new requirement for scholarship organizations to ensure parents understand this termination notice duty, which is currently mandated by law but not clearly explained to families. The change aims to clarify parental responsibilities without altering the underlying notice requirement.
HB 1521 clarifies that students using education freedom accounts (voucher programs) are not considered "home educated" under New Hampshire law. It amends the definition in RSA 193-A:4 to explicitly exclude children receiving funding from such accounts from the home education category. This change directly affects families utilizing education freedom accounts, separating their status from traditional home education. The bill makes a specific statutory adjustment to prevent overlap in how these educational options are classified. It does not alter home education requirements for other families.
