This bill requires applicants seeking permits for solid waste management facilities in New Hampshire to undergo criminal background checks. Under the new rules, the Department of Environmental Services can request that the Attorney General investigate the criminal records and performance history of the applicant, its officers, directors, and any individuals with managerial or decision-making authority. The cost of these investigations will be paid by the facility applicants rather than the state. This change aims to ensure that those responsible for managing solid waste operations have no disqualifying criminal history before a permit is granted.
This law prohibits individuals convicted of specific crimes against children, such as sexual assault or possession of child sexual abuse images, from working or volunteering in roles that provide direct care or supervision to minors. The ban applies to various positions including teachers, coaches, camp counselors, and day care workers, and it also requires employers and organizations serving minors to conduct criminal background checks on all prospective employees and volunteers. Additionally, the legislation makes it a crime for these individuals to apply for initial teacher certification without disclosing their criminal history. These restrictions take effect on January 1, 2025.
This bill expands the definition of a school transportation vehicle to include private passenger cars used by contracted companies to transport students to public and private schools. It allows school districts and private schools to hire these providers, provided the vehicles are approved by the Department of Safety and driven by certified school bus operators. The legislation also requires stricter background checks for drivers, including criminal history reviews, and mandates that all drivers maintain specific qualification files accessible to the state department. Additionally, the state director gains the authority to inspect these vehicles before they are used to ensure they are fit for transporting children.
This bill establishes a legislative committee to examine how New Hampshire laws handle consent and confidentiality for adolescents and young adults seeking healthcare. The committee, composed of five legislators appointed by Senate and House leaders, will review existing rules regarding parental consent, assess current privacy protections for minors, and identify any gaps in medical care coverage. After gathering testimony from relevant experts and organizations, the group must submit its findings and any proposed legal changes to state officials by November 1, 2024.
This bill removes the requirement for lucky 7 ticket dispenser devices to print a physical paper ticket. Under the new rules, these machines must still be approved by the state commission, but their specifications will no longer mandate paper output. Instead, the outcome of a wager will be determined solely by the video monitor on the device. This change applies to licensed facilities that currently use these approved dispenser machines.
HB 1552 clarifies the definition of "superintendent" to include any staff members assigned to perform administrative duties, thereby extending certain legal responsibilities to these personnel. The bill mandates that local fire chiefs annually inspect school buildings during the school year and submit compliance reports to state officials and school leaders by December 15. It also updates regulations regarding the confidentiality of student records within specific case contexts and grants exemptions for single-district administrative units from most chapter requirements while maintaining superintendent service standards. Finally, the law allows superintendents in single school districts to qualify for alternative certification as principal instructional leaders through a rigorous competency process.
This law allows non-lawyer paraprofessionals to provide legal services in New Hampshire courts, removing previous restrictions that limited their practice to specific judicial settings. It establishes a pilot program that begins on January 1, 2030, during which the state Supreme Court must submit interim and final reports to legislative leaders assessing how well the program works. The legislation also sets the effective date for these changes to start immediately upon signing, ensuring the new rules are in place before the pilot program commences.
Signed by Governor Sununu 06/14/2024; Chapter 46; eff. 1/1/2025 HJ 16
This bill requires powerboat operators to wear an engine cut-off switch lanyard while operating specific vessels at speeds higher than the minimum needed to maintain steerage. The rule applies to powerboats that are at least 26 feet long or have outboard engines with more than 115 pounds of thrust or 3 horsepower, unless the boat has an enclosed cabin or was manufactured before 2020 without such a device. The law defines an engine cut-off switch as a safety device that disables the engine if the operator falls off the helm and sets the requirement to take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.
This bill allows the Public School Infrastructure Fund to be used for purchasing energy-efficient school buses and other student transportation vehicles. It achieves this by amending state law to explicitly include these vehicles in the list of eligible projects the governor can approve, alongside other school infrastructure needs. The change ensures that funds previously restricted to building projects can now support greener transportation options for students. The legislation took effect on August 13, 2024, following its signing by the governor.
This bill allows state officials, including legislators, the governor, and federal representatives from New Hampshire, to obtain special license plates featuring the state seal for a one-dollar fee. The plates will be white with green and red lettering, displaying the official's name or district number, and can be displayed alongside regular plates on vehicles registered to the official or their spouse. Manufactured at the state prison at no cost to the state, these plates are limited to two sets per person and must be used only on specific vehicles associated with the holder.
This bill removes the legal requirement for grandparents in New Hampshire to provide financial support for their minor grandchildren. By repealing the existing statute, the law no longer holds grandparents personally liable for child support obligations. The change takes effect 60 days after the bill is passed, meaning grandparents will not be legally responsible for paying for their grandchildren's needs under this specific provision.
