HB 1744 requires health insurance companies operating in New Hampshire to submit annual reports by March 1st starting in 2026, detailing their mental health and substance use disorder coverage practices. These reports must include data on claims denial rates, average wait times for appointments, provider network availability, and compliance with federal parity laws. The insurance commissioner will review these reports and make de-identified data publicly available, while the state Medicaid program must also report annually starting in 2027 on similar metrics. This bill establishes new transparency requirements without authorizing new funding or positions.
HB 1464 defines "political affiliation or opinion" to include First Amendment-protected activities like supporting political parties or candidates. It prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on political views, and bans politically motivated harassment or economic interference (such as doxxing to cause job loss). The bill creates new criminal penalties: class A misdemeanors for harassment targeting political views, and class B felonies if economic harm or threats of violence occur. It directly affects workers, businesses, and anyone facing political harassment, expanding existing anti-discrimination laws to cover political expression.
HB 1504 prohibits retailers from raising prices unreasonably on necessary goods and services (like food, medicine, or utilities) during declared emergencies or abnormal market disruptions. It defines "unreasonably excessive" pricing as exceeding average pre-emergency prices or not reflecting legitimate cost increases. The law allows government prosecutors to sue violators on behalf of the state and applies to all sellers in the distribution chain. The prohibition lasts 45 days after the emergency declaration unless extended by the governor. It directly affects retailers selling essential items during emergencies.
HB 1070 mandates that individuals placed in protective custody for suspected mental health crises must be transported by ambulance to a hospital or designated mental health site for evaluation, rather than by law enforcement. This applies directly to people experiencing acute mental health emergencies who are deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill requires emergency medical technicians to provide care during transport, sets a 6-hour limit for protective custody, and allows law enforcement to override ambulance transport only if the individual poses a safety risk to medical personnel. It does not change eligibility criteria for involuntary admission but standardizes the initial transport process for mental health evaluations.
HB 1340 requires New Hampshire state agencies to review all occupational regulations (such as rules, fees, or tests for entering a profession) to ensure they are strictly necessary for public health, safety, or welfare. It mandates agencies to justify each regulation's purpose within one year and repeal or modify those that don't meet this standard, with a follow-up report due 15 months after enactment. The bill explicitly excludes occupational licenses (like professional certifications) from its scope but defines "occupational regulations" broadly to include any barrier to entering a profession. It also allows individuals to petition agencies to revise or remove non-compliant regulations within 90 days. This directly affects state agencies managing professional rules and the businesses/professionals subject to those rules.
HB 1261 amends definitions within New Hampshire's Administrative Procedure Act to clarify agency rulemaking processes. It revises terms like "file" (referring to document submission procedures), "fiscal impact statement" (requiring consideration of short- and long-term costs), and "final legislative action" (defining committee resolution outcomes). The bill also updates provisions for the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, including its meeting requirements and review responsibilities. These changes aim to streamline administrative procedures without creating new substantive policies.
HB 1654 requires property owners to pay all back taxes and other charges on their property before being issued certain building or occupancy permits. The bill amends state law to allow building inspectors, with local legislative authorization, to withhold these permits until all outstanding financial obligations are settled. This directly affects property owners with unpaid taxes who seek to build or occupy a property. The key mechanism is that permit issuance is contingent on full payment of all taxes and charges due on the property.
HB 1713 establishes new standards for affordable housing development in New Hampshire by revising zoning laws. It defines "eligible housing" for low-income (80% or less of median area income) and moderate-income (80%-140% of median area income) residents, and authorizes the transfer of surplus state-owned property to the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority for affordable housing projects. The bill requires affordability restrictions on housing developed on transferred properties, including rules for occupancy, resale, and mixed-income housing. This directly affects state agencies managing surplus property, the Housing Finance Authority, and low/moderate-income residents seeking affordable housing options.
This bill amends New Hampshire law (RSA 466:31, II(g)) to exempt guard dogs from being classified as "menacing or vicious" when they are on their owner's property. Currently, guard dogs could be deemed menacing if they attacked animals or people on property, but this change removes that classification specifically for dogs guarding their owner's land. The exemption applies only when dogs are on the owner's property, not in public or other areas, and takes effect January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects dog owners who use guard dogs for property security.
HB 1582 prohibits New Hampshire insurers from using credit scores, credit history, or consumer reports to set premiums or make decisions about personal auto and homeowners insurance policies. It also bans insurers from using drones, satellites, or other surveillance to monitor properties without the property owner's written permission, and prevents insurers from threatening to cancel or raise rates if permission for surveillance is denied. The law directly affects all auto and homeowners insurers operating in New Hampshire and every consumer who purchases these policies. Key provisions require insurers to stop basing pricing on credit data and obtain explicit, revocable consent for surveillance, with violations treated as unfair insurance practices. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.
HB 1773 would direct New Hampshire to seek federal approval to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from purchasing sweetened drinks (with 5g+ added sugar) and candy. The bill requires the state health department to submit a waiver to the USDA by January 2027, defining prohibited items like soda and candy bars while excluding milk, juice blends, and certain non-refrigerated sweets. It mandates implementation plans for retailers and annual reports on purchasing patterns and health outcomes. This would directly affect SNAP recipients in New Hampshire who currently use benefits for these restricted items.
HB 1353 requires New Hampshire auto insurers to include premium discounts in their rate filings for vehicles that pass the state's existing annual safety inspections (covering headlights, brakes, tires, etc.). It directly affects insurers and policyholders, as insurers must offer these discounts but cannot penalize drivers who skip inspections or fail them. Key provisions mandate that discounts be actuarially justified, filed with the insurance department, and not tied to a specific percentage. The bill explicitly states that inspections remain voluntary for insurance purposes beyond current state-mandated safety checks, and no surcharges apply for non-participation. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
