HB 1562 exempts membership-based health care facilities (which charge direct patient payments without insurance reimbursement) from certain licensing rules, including a moratorium on new licenses and bed capacity increases under RSA 151:2. The bill also requires these facilities to adopt a patient bill of rights covering dignity, privacy, and clear admission information, while directing the Department of Health and Human Services to study direct-pay models. It directly affects facilities operating under membership or direct-payment structures, removing them from standard licensing requirements in RSA 151:2-f and RSA 151:2, VI(a). The key change is creating a tailored regulatory framework for these facilities while maintaining core patient rights protections.
SB 476 requires hospitals to follow federal price transparency rules and provides a "good faith estimate" safe harbor, protecting them from penalties if cost estimates differ due to clinical changes or outside factors. It mandates health insurers to give personalized, pre-service cost estimates for scheduled services through their existing federal tools (Transparency in Coverage APIs), accessible via the state's HealthCost portal. The bill expands the state's health data system (CHIS/APCD) to power consumer cost comparisons for uninsured and out-of-network care without building new IT infrastructure. These changes directly affect hospitals, insurers, and consumers by making upfront health care costs clearer before treatment.
HB 1751 establishes a 5% public safety surcharge on paid parking at New Hampshire state park facilities. The surcharge, collected through existing parking systems, funds a dedicated account that distributes quarterly revenues to the host municipalities based on each park's collected surcharge. These funds must be used solely for public safety services directly related to park visitation, such as police, fire, and emergency medical services. The bill creates a new revenue stream for local public safety without imposing new fees on visitors or creating new criminal penalties.
HB 1048 repeals the general prohibition on possessing or selling blackjacks, slung shots, and metallic knuckles for adults, while maintaining a ban on these items for people under 18. The bill specifically makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to carry these weapons and prohibits selling them to minors. This change allows adults to possess and sell these weapons to other adults, but continues to prohibit minors from having them or being sold to them. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2027.
SB 645 expands New Hampshire's child care scholarship program to include families with gross monthly income at or below 95% of the state median income for their family size, increasing access for low-income households. The bill funds this expansion by redirecting 2% of tobacco tax revenue, liquor sales revenue, and video lottery revenue to the program, avoiding new state appropriations. This change, effective July 1, 2026, will require approximately $10.5 million annually starting in fiscal year 2027. The policy directly affects families seeking child care assistance, expanding eligibility without new taxes or general fund spending.
SB 558 moves the Youth Development Center claims administrator position from the executive branch to the judicial branch, requiring the Supreme Court to appoint the administrator instead of the governor. It reverses specific 2025 changes to the claims process, including rules about attorney fees in periodic payment settlements and the time period for accepting decisions. The administrator, appointed by the Supreme Court after consultation with the attorney general and claimants' counsel, will process claims and settle them based on established guidelines, with decisions being final and non-appealable. This bill directly affects individuals filing claims against the Youth Development Center regarding compensation for injuries or services.
This constitutional amendment (CACR 13) proposes removing all references to the "register of probate" position from New Hampshire's constitution. It would amend Articles 71 and 81 to delete the elected office and its duties, which were already redistributed to circuit court clerks in 2011. The bill does not create or change any current duties but formally eliminates the obsolete constitutional reference. Voters will decide in the November 2026 election whether to approve this change.
HB 1216 requires law enforcement officers to inform homeowners and property owners of their right to refuse searches before conducting warrantless searches of homes or other real property (like buildings permanently attached to land). The bill mandates officers explain that refusing consent cannot lead to arrest, detention, or criminal charges, and that refusal must end further questioning. It also requires documented consent - via signature on a form or video recording - and makes improperly obtained evidence inadmissible in court. This directly affects residents during police encounters and updates existing vehicle search consent rules to cover homes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
SB 49 creates new criminal penalties for the unlawful operation of small drones (unmanned aircraft systems) in New Hampshire. It makes it a misdemeanor to interfere with emergency services (like police or fire response) or airport operations, and increases penalties to a felony if drone use causes damage to aircraft, disrupts flights, or delivers contraband into correctional facilities. The bill also prohibits possessing or operating drones equipped to cause harm (e.g., firing projectiles), with exemptions for bomb squads and law enforcement using drones for safety purposes. These rules apply to anyone operating small drones, effective January 1, 2026.
SB 103 requires towns and cities in New Hampshire to maintain at least one polling station for every 20,000 registered voters during presidential election general elections, unless they obtain prior approval from the Secretary of State for fewer locations. This directly affects municipalities with over 20,000 registered voters as of January 1, 2026 - including Concord, Manchester, Nashua, and others listed in the bill's analysis. The bill mandates this minimum polling station ratio for presidential elections only, with no impact on the Secretary of State's budget. Local governments unable to secure approval may face additional costs between $10,000 and $100,000 for setting up new polling locations.
HB 1126 repeals the requirement that professionals must hold a certification to perform residential mold assessments in New Hampshire. This directly affects mold assessment professionals who previously needed certification under RSA 310-A:189-b. The bill directs the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to remove related administrative rules and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2027, on whether further changes are needed. The repeal takes effect 60 days after the bill's passage.
This bill clarifies that qualifying patients using therapeutic cannabis under New Hampshire law retain their state-legal right to purchase, possess, and transfer firearms. It directly affects medical cannabis patients who might otherwise face firearm restrictions due to state cannabis use. The key provision amends state law (RSA 126-X:2) by adding a specific clause stating that therapeutic cannabis use does not impact firearm rights under New Hampshire law. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
