This bill establishes rules for transporting marijuana and alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles and off-highway recreational vehicles within the state. It requires that these items be kept in their original, sealed containers and stored in the trunk or the least accessible area of the vehicle, with an exception for the glove compartment if a trunk is unavailable. Drivers and passengers who violate these storage requirements face a $150 fine and potential suspension of their driving privileges. The law also specifically restricts drivers under the age of 21 from transporting these substances unless they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other specified adult relative. These regulations take effect on January 1, 2025.
This New Hampshire bill reinstates the ban on selling hemp products that contain specific levels of THC, effectively reversing a previous law that had removed this restriction. The legislation directly impacts retailers and consumers by prohibiting the sale of hemp-derived items with elevated THC concentrations. It takes immediate effect upon passage, ensuring that the prohibition on these specific products is enforced starting July 3, 2024.
This bill creates a special committee to study emergency mental health services for people aged 21 and under in New Hampshire. The committee, made up of five state legislators, will review current laws, insurance coverage, and claims data to identify gaps in behavioral health care for youth. It will also gather expert testimony and assess whether insurance plans are following fairness rules regarding mental health coverage. By November 1, 2024, the group must submit a report with its findings and any suggested new laws to state leaders and the governor.
This bill requires health insurance companies to cover prosthetic devices, including specialized ones for specific activities, for children under 19 living in the state. The law ensures that these devices come with necessary materials, training, and repairs without annual dollar limits, though it allows insurers to cap the number of activity-specific devices covered per year. Coverage applies to most group and individual health plans but excludes those offered through the Small Business Health Options Program. The changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.
This bill updates laws regarding wastewater services by allowing water companies to charge customers outside municipal boundaries a rate up to 15 percent higher than those inside, provided the level of service remains equal. It clarifies that homeowners associations are not considered public utilities simply because they provide water or sewer services. Additionally, the legislation permits municipalities to use funds collected from sewer surcharges on external customers for specific infrastructure projects, including sewer system maintenance, capital reserves, and the expansion or replacement of natural gas lines. These changes take effect on September 1, 2024.
This bill creates an exemption for out-of-state doctors who treat patients in New Hampshire, allowing them to practice there without full state licensure. To qualify, the doctor must maintain an active relationship with the patient in their home state and perform in-person check-ups at least once a year, with the frequency adjusted based on the patient's specific medical needs. The law applies specifically to physicians licensed elsewhere who are providing care to New Hampshire residents under these established conditions.
This New Hampshire bill prohibits health insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and other payers from treating entities differently because they participate in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. Specifically, the law forbids these payers from imposing stricter network rules or lower reimbursement rates for drugs covered under the program compared to those offered to other providers. The measure directly affects hospitals and clinics that use the 340B program to purchase discounted medications, ensuring they face the same terms as other healthcare entities. By banning discrimination based on this specific federal participation, the bill aims to maintain equal access to reimbursement and network participation for all covered entities in the state.
This bill appropriates $672,672.99 from the education trust fund to repair and replace the ventilation and exhaust fan system at the teaching kitchen of the Wilbur H. Palmer Regional Career and Technical Education Center. The funding is specifically designated for the culinary arts program located at Alvirne High School in Hudson. The money will be used for the biennium ending June 30, 2025, and the act becomes effective on July 1, 2024.
This bill establishes new definitions and rules for prior authorization processes used by health insurance carriers and utilization review entities in New Hampshire. It requires these organizations to create written clinical review criteria based on current medical standards and to update them at least every two years with input from practicing providers. The law mandates that prior authorization requirements be clearly published on carrier websites in plain language and that providers receive at least 60 days' notice before any new restrictions take effect. Additionally, the bill ensures that medical necessity decisions are made by qualified health care providers under the direction of a licensed medical director.
This bill requires law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire to submit hate crime reports to the state police at least twice a year. The reports must detail the number of offenses and arrests, and the state police will publish these statistics on their website every 45 days. A hate crime is defined as any offense where an officer suspects the crime was motivated by bias against characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The law takes effect on September 1, 2024, and applies to all police departments operating within the state.
This bill requires municipalities in New Hampshire to obtain criminal background checks for anyone nominated as a health officer or deputy health officer. Under the new law, each town must request these records from the Department of Safety before nominating a candidate to ensure no prior convictions would disqualify them or interfere with their duties. While towns retain the discretion to review these reports according to their own hiring practices, the appointments remain subject to oversight by the Department of Health and Human Services commissioner. The changes take effect on September 1, 2024.
This law requires the executor of an estate to officially report the death of any voter aged 18 or older to their local town or city clerk within 30 days of being appointed. Once the clerk receives this notice, they must inform the town supervisors, who are then responsible for removing the deceased person's name from the voter registration list at their next meeting. The bill also mandates that supervisors who fail to erase the name of a deceased voter after receiving proper notice could face legal penalties.
