New Hampshire Bills

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 194: relative to the crime of interference with custody and relative to the practice of pharmacy and the dispensing of certain medications by pharmacists.

HB 194 amends New Hampshire law to clarify and strengthen criminal penalties for interfering with court-ordered custody arrangements. It makes it a class B felony to knowingly obstruct parenting time (e.g., by enticing a child to leave contact or retaining the child against a court order) or to take a child out of state without court permission during an active custody case. First or second violations of the out-of-state provision carry fines of $250-$500, while third or subsequent offenses become class B felonies. The bill includes an affirmative defense if someone was entitled to parenting time or acting to protect a child from immediate danger (with prior court petition documentation). This directly affects parents, guardians, or others involved in custody disputes who violate court orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 360: prohibiting public schools from performing surgical procedures or prescribing pharmaceutical drugs, relative to licensing requirements for health care facilities established within a 15 mile radius of a critical access hospital, and relative to the administration of prescription medication to minors by youth camp staff.

HB 360 prohibits public schools in New Hampshire from performing diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, or prescribing pharmaceutical drugs. It directly affects school nurses and school physicians by removing their authority to conduct these medical activities within school settings. The bill amends RSA 200:27 to explicitly state that school health services may not include these medical functions. This policy change takes effect 60 days after enactment, limiting school-based medical interventions to non-invasive care.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1499: relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, and reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 1499 would expand eviction grounds under New Hampshire's landlord and tenant law by adding three specific conditions: (1) a tenant or occupant being unlawfully present in the U.S., (2) a recent conviction (within 3 years) for certain violent crimes or drug offenses, or (3) being a registered sexual offender under state law. This bill directly affects tenants who meet these criteria, allowing landlords to seek eviction based on these new grounds. The key provision modifies the existing statute to include these three categories as valid reasons for termination of tenancy. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage and does not require new state funding.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Housing ✗ Immigration

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1407: enabling veterinary technicians to provide rabies vaccinations while indirectly supervised by a veterinarian.

This New Hampshire bill allows veterinary technicians to administer rabies vaccines to dogs, cats, and ferrets under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian. It requires pet owners to sign a statement confirming their animal hasn't bitten anyone in the past 10 days before vaccination. Technicians must complete a three-part certificate for each vaccination, including vaccine details and animal information, with copies sent to the owner, supervising veterinarian, and local clerk. The bill directly affects veterinary technicians, pet owners, and veterinary practices in New Hampshire.

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1356: relative to the statute of limitations for bringing a private right of action for violation of the statute prohibiting medical procedures and treatments intended to alter a minor's gender, authorizing the application of sunscreen in schools and camps without a licensed health care provider's note or prescription, and establishing a skin cancer prevention education program.

HB 1356 extends the statute of limitations for minors to sue providers for violating laws prohibiting gender-altering medical procedures. It changes the deadline from 2 years to 10 years after a minor turns 18 to file a private lawsuit. This directly affects minors who received such medical treatments before age 18 and wish to pursue legal action. The bill modifies RSA 332-N:3, II, which governs when claims for violations of the gender-procedure ban must be filed. The fiscal note indicates no state or local cost impact.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1215: relative to supporting the preferred method of communication of an individual with a communication disability and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.

HB 1215, titled "Grace’s Law," ensures individuals with developmental disabilities receiving state services can use their preferred communication method, including AAC devices, sign language, letterboards, or speech-generating tools. It requires staff in group homes, schools, and state institutions to accommodate these methods through reasonable efforts. The law applies to all state service providers supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. It takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1574: relative to the extension of the free and reduced price breakfast and lunch programs and supporting administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and making appropriations therefor.

HB 1574 allows New Hampshire school districts to extend free and reduced-price lunch benefits to special education students who are 21 years old but continue their education through age 22, as required by their individualized education plan (IEP). The bill authorizes school boards to maintain eligibility for these students until their IEP is completed or they turn 22, whichever comes first. The state will reimburse school districts for these meals through the general fund at the same rate as federal USDA meal programs. This change directly affects students with IEPs who remain in school beyond age 21, removing a barrier to nutritional support during their extended education. The policy takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1540: relative to municipal health ordinances and accessory dwelling units and relative to on-premises licenses for licensed barbershops and salons.

HB 1540 establishes statewide rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), allowing one ADU per single-family home as a matter of right in most zoning districts without extra lot size or design requirements beyond those for the main home. In protected shoreland areas, municipalities may permit ADUs as a matter of right or through conditional permits, and they can choose to allow detached units if they meet specific environmental and zoning standards. The bill prohibits multiple ADUs per home, ADUs in townhouses (attached multi-family properties), ADUs on rented land, and separate sales of ADUs from the main house without municipal approval. It provides municipalities with clear guidance for zoning, permitting, and environmental protections related to ADUs while standardizing requirements across the state.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1323: relative to parental alienation, limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services, relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.

HB 1323 defines "parental alienation" as a pattern of behavior damaging a child's relationship with a parent - such as disparaging remarks, manipulation, or unjustified interference with parenting time - while excluding protective actions taken in good faith for safety concerns. The bill requires New Hampshire courts to consider parental alienation as a factor in custody, visitation, and parental rights decisions, including joint decision-making and modifications to parenting plans. It establishes a "family access motion" for parents to seek enforcement of parenting plans when alienation occurs and allows courts to order remedies like adjusted schedules. The law also mandates courts to evaluate parental alienation in grandparent visitation cases and requires attorney fee awards in contempt cases involving failure to comply with court orders related to parental alienation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1247: requiring the secretary of state to create, post on the secretary of state's website, and otherwise distribute notice of proposed constitutional amendments.

HB 1247 requires New Hampshire's Secretary of State to create and distribute clear notices about proposed constitutional amendments. The bill mandates that town and city clerks prominently display these notices (including specific header wording and vote dates) for at least 60 days before a statewide vote, and the Secretary of State must maintain a dedicated webpage with the same information. This directly affects voters who need to understand amendment proposals before voting, as well as local clerks responsible for posting the notices. The key mechanism is standardizing and centralizing information about constitutional amendments to improve voter access to details. The bill focuses on procedural transparency without changing amendment content or voting rules.

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1771: removing the prospective repeal of child care staffing ratios and the associated waiver system and requiring the department of health and human services to provide certain notice regarding availability of the waiver.

This bill prevents a planned 2026 repeal of child care staffing ratio requirements and the associated waiver system. It requires the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to send annual notices to licensed child care providers about their option to request a waiver of staffing rules. The department must also report waiver applications, approvals, and denials to the legislature annually, starting in 2025. This directly affects child care providers who rely on these staffing rules and waiver options.

passed both · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 578: relative to play-based curriculum and limitations on recess periods for pupils.

SB 578 requires all public schools to provide daily recess for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, expanding current requirements. It mandates play-based learning for kindergarten through third grade and explicitly prohibits withholding recess as punishment for misbehavior or incomplete schoolwork. The bill defines recess as unstructured outdoor play (when safe), separate from physical education classes. This law applies to all public schools in the state, directly affecting K-8 students and school policies.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results