HB 1350 increases the legal amount of usable therapeutic cannabis that patients and their designated caregivers can possess from two ounces to four ounces. The bill allows qualifying patients and caregivers to hold up to four ounces of usable cannabis and any amount of unusable cannabis without facing arrest, prosecution, or penalties. It also updates the rules for alternative treatment centers, permitting patients to obtain up to four ounces of usable cannabis every ten days. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2025.
This bill allows towns to approve the conversion of single-family homes into two-unit dwellings in specific urban areas without requiring a discretionary hearing. To qualify, the property must be located in an urbanized area or urban cluster, cannot involve recent tenants or affordable housing restrictions, and generally cannot demolish more than 25% of the home's exterior walls unless local rules permit it. Local planning boards retain the ability to set objective standards like parking requirements and setback limits, but they cannot use these rules to physically block the construction of two units of at least 1,000 square feet each. Additionally, the bill permits planning boards to deny a project only if there is clear evidence of a specific adverse impact on public health, safety, or the environment that cannot be fixed.
This bill updates the rules for handling contempt of court cases within family division matters, such as divorce, child support, and custody disputes. It clarifies that contempt occurs when someone willfully refuses to follow a clear court order while having the ability to do so, and it places the responsibility on the person seeking enforcement to prove this violation by a preponderance of the evidence. If a court finds a party in contempt without a valid excuse, it can award legal fees to the other side or order the non-compliant party into jail until they obey the order. These changes apply to all cases under the family division's jurisdiction and will take effect on January 1, 2025.
This bill establishes a legal framework for medical assistance in dying, allowing qualified adults with terminal illnesses to request prescriptions for medications they can self-administer to end their lives peacefully. To access this option, an individual must be at least 18 years old, have a terminal condition expected to cause death within six months, possess the mental capacity to understand the decision, and voluntarily make the request without coercion. The process requires two independent medical evaluations where providers confirm the patient's diagnosis, capacity, and understanding of all available treatment alternatives, including hospice and palliative care. Additionally, the law mandates that the patient sign a formal request form and allows them to withdraw their request or change their mind at any time.
This bill allows people in New Hampshire to petition courts to erase arrest and conviction records for cannabis offenses, with automatic annulment for minor possession cases and a streamlined process for other related crimes once sentences are finished. It also enables individuals currently serving time for cannabis-related offenses to request re-sentencing to only the portion of their sentence they have already served, unless the prosecutor can prove the change would not be in the interests of justice. The legislation covers offenses involving cannabis or paraphernalia that would not have been crimes if marijuana were legal, and it waives all associated court fees for these petitions.
HB 1288 establishes due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty members at New Hampshire's public colleges and universities facing disciplinary actions that could lead to suspension, expulsion, or termination. The bill requires institutions to provide at least seven days' written notice of allegations, access to evidence and witnesses, the right to confront accusers, and the opportunity to present a defense with the assistance of an advisor. It also mandates an impartial hearing officer, a verbatim record of proceedings, and an appeal process, while allowing immediate temporary actions only in cases of imminent physical danger or property damage. Additionally, the legislation prevents disciplinary findings from being used as evidence in criminal court and prohibits colleges from holding disciplinary hearings while related criminal charges are pending.
This bill creates a new Emergency Medical Services disciplinary review panel to oversee decisions regarding the licensing of EMS providers. The panel, appointed by the director of fire standards and training, must consult with and pre-approve any actions by the commissioner to deny, suspend, or revoke a license, issue a letter of concern, or deny a renewal. Additionally, the bill requires the division to remove records of discipline from public view after five years or upon the licensee's death, unless the director decides otherwise sooner. These changes aim to add a layer of review to disciplinary actions and limit the long-term public visibility of past license sanctions.
This bill updates how the state calculates funding for students with special education needs, directly affecting school districts and the families of these students. It establishes different funding levels based on the intensity of services a student receives, distinguishing between those who attend regular classes most of the day, those with partial inclusion, and those in separate schools or homebound settings. The legislation also introduces a new method for adjusting these costs in the future by applying specific numerical multipliers to a base funding amount. These changes are designed to ensure that financial support aligns more closely with the actual resources required to educate students with disabilities.
This bill establishes a state-level disaster relief program in New Hampshire to help municipalities repair roads and bridges after natural disasters, even without a federal declaration. It allows the state to declare emergencies based on local damage assessments and provides up to $5 million per municipality per year for critical infrastructure repairs when local funds are insufficient. To qualify, a town must show that damage costs at least half of its annual budget and that it cannot wait for federal aid, while accepting state money means forfeiting future FEMA reimbursement for those specific repairs. The legislation also creates and consolidates two state funds to finance these emergency responses and sets up a committee to review requests for individual assistance.
HB 1142 establishes a formal permitting system for individuals who design or install septic systems in New Hampshire. To obtain a designer or installer permit, applicants must pay an $80 fee, pass an exam, and prove at least two years of experience for designers or one year for installers. These permits are valid for two years and require holders to complete continuing education and adhere to specific work standards to maintain their status. The bill also outlines procedures for suspending or revoking permits only for just cause after the holder has a chance to be heard.
This bill requires the state Department of Environmental Services to create a two-step permitting process for new solid waste landfills. The first step is a preliminary screening where applicants must provide enough information to show their proposed site does not violate specific location rules, such as being near permeable soils or sensitive habitats. If a site fails this initial check, the department will reject the application without prejudice, allowing the applicant to choose a different location and resubmit. The department will establish these prohibitive criteria through public hearings and written comments, focusing on factors like soil quality, distance from waste sources, and environmental preservation. The changes will take effect 60 days after the bill passes, with existing rules remaining in place until July 1, 2025.
This bill prohibits private individuals or companies from owning new landfills in New Hampshire, requiring that any future facilities be owned by the state or a local municipality. While the state or local governments would own these sites, they could still hire private companies to manage and operate the daily functions of the landfills. Existing private landfills that were fully permitted and actively accepting waste as of December 1, 2023, are allowed to remain under private ownership and may expand or modify their operations. The law is designed to shift ownership of new waste disposal sites to public entities while ensuring private expertise is utilized for operations.
