relative to the expectation of privacy in personal information maintained by the state.

HB 522 establishes a new legal expectation of privacy for personal information held by third-party providers (such as phone companies, banks, or social media platforms) in New Hampshire. It prohibits state and local government entities from acquiring, collecting, retaining, or using this personal information - defined to include biometric data, financial details, and location information - without specific statutory authorization. Exceptions exist for law enforcement investigations, emergencies, or court-ordered requests, but violations would be misdemeanors with potential penalties including $1,000 per violation and attorney fees. The bill directly affects New Hampshire residents whose data is managed by third-party services and requires government entities to comply with these privacy restrictions starting January 1, 2026.