This bill updates regulations for property and casualty insurance by clarifying the definition of personal risk to include various residential and non-commercial coverages. It allows insurers to conduct policy audits using modern methods such as telephone, mail, or virtual communication instead of requiring physical inspections. The legislation also expands exemptions for insurance claims adjusters who handle specific automobile glass repair claims and changes how insurers must notify policyholders about cancellations or non-renewals. Additionally, the bill appropriates $25 million to the Department of Environmental Services to fund regional drinking water infrastructure projects aimed at addressing PFAS contamination and increasing water supply.
SB 340 updates New Hampshire special education laws to improve communication and oversight between parents, schools, and the state. The bill allows school districts to send Individualized Education Program (IEP) notices via email unless a parent prefers mail, and it requires districts to report rejected IEPs or placements within five days so the state can promptly inform parents of available dispute resolution options. Additionally, the Office of the Advocate for Special Education gains expanded authority to review student records and complaints without public disclosure, while the Department of Education must publish an annual report detailing disability statistics, funding, and progress on compliance plans. The legislation also encourages local school districts to create and share their own alternative dispute resolution programs to help families resolve conflicts more efficiently.
This bill requires manufacturers and sellers of firefighting gear to inform buyers whether the equipment contains PFAS chemicals, a specific class of fluorinated compounds. Starting in 2020, these notices must be included in employee files and given directly to firefighters, while records of the disclosure must be kept for three years. The state safety department is tasked with encouraging the purchase of PFAS-free gear, and fire departments are directed to prioritize safer alternatives when they become available. By 2025, the law prohibits departments from offering or allowing the use of firefighter uniforms that include intentionally added PFAS chemicals.
This bill updates New Hampshire's real estate laws to clarify definitions and create a new inactive licensure status for brokers and salespersons. It allows licensed individuals to place their licenses on inactive status while keeping them valid, provided they do not engage in brokerage activities or make referrals for compensation during that time. Under the new rules, inactive licensees must still renew their licenses and complete continuing education every two years but are exempt from maintaining a place of business or a surety bond. The law also specifies that a license automatically returns to active status once an inactive licensee affiliates with a broker of record. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.
HB 1030 repeals several existing task forces and commissions in New Hampshire, including the Air Pollution Advisory Committee and the John G. Winant Memorial Commission. The bill transfers the responsibility for maintaining the John G. Winant memorial to the Joint Legislative Historical Committee and establishes a new committee to study ways to make the appeals process for the state's environmental councils faster and more cost-effective. Additionally, the law requires state departments to report annually on the implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and sets a deadline for the new appeals study committee to submit its findings by November 1, 2024.
This bill updates the rules for licensing and regulating physicians in New Hampshire, directly affecting medical professionals seeking to practice or renew their licenses. It requires all applicants to submit fingerprints and undergo a criminal history background check, while also allowing the state board to assess civil penalties for unauthorized practice or violations. The legislation streamlines the licensing process by waiving exam requirements for doctors already certified by major national medical boards and clarifies the procedures for issuing various license types, including temporary and training licenses. Additionally, it establishes specific criteria for granting unrestricted permanent licenses and outlines the conditions under which the board can issue restricted or courtesy licenses.
HB 1274 creates a new Judicial Council to oversee the administration of New Hampshire's courts by expanding the existing body to include representatives from the attorney general's office, court clerks, the Bar Association, and the state legislature. The bill also tightens rules for criminal arrests by requiring most defendants to appear in court within 24 hours and allowing those held under specific bail statutes to request a hearing via telephone. Additionally, it grants courts the authority to appoint contract attorneys for indigent defendants when deemed necessary, while simultaneously increasing the limit on how much money the judicial branch can transfer between its own accounts without legislative approval. The law requires a report on the costs of these new attorney appointments by October 2025 and takes effect immediately upon signing, with one provision regarding attorney appointments delayed until January 2026.
This bill updates the rules for how candidates and the public can access voter checklists in New Hampshire towns and cities. It ensures that these lists are available for free examination before any election and allows anyone to request a physical or electronic copy. While the first free electronic request per election remains free, the bill introduces a fee of up to $25 for subsequent electronic copies and sets specific pricing for paper copies based on the number of names on the list. Local officials are responsible for providing these documents and collecting the applicable fees, which take effect on October 1, 2024.
This bill allows brew pubs to also operate as on-premises or off-premises beverage vendors, provided they do not hold other manufacturing licenses. Under the new rules, a brew pub can self-distribute its beer or cider to only one additional licensed location, and the total volume sold across both locations must not exceed 2,500 barrels during the licensing period. The law also clarifies that holding multiple brew pub licenses does not permit a business to distribute to more than one shared location. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.
HB 1278 expands the list of qualifying medical conditions for therapeutic cannabis in New Hampshire to include any debilitating or terminal condition where a doctor believes the benefits likely outweigh the risks for adults aged 21 and older. Under this new provision, a certifying provider must document the patient's specific condition and state their clinical opinion on the risk-benefit balance to approve the patient for treatment. The bill also removes previous restrictions that limited how many times a qualifying patient could visit the state to obtain their medication. Additionally, it includes a contingency clause to renumber the new section if another related bill passes in the future, and the law takes effect 60 days after being signed.
This bill directs the New Hampshire Department of Energy to conduct ongoing studies on nuclear energy technologies, including advanced reactors, and to evaluate how these developments might impact state laws, infrastructure, and public safety. It requires the department to publish a report on these findings at least once every three years, starting in December 2025, and to consult with various state agencies on issues such as health, transportation, and environmental protection. Additionally, the bill officially renames the Office of Offshore Wind Industry Development to better reflect its broader role in coordinating state activities related to both nuclear and offshore wind energy. The legislation establishes the Commissioner of Energy as the primary state adviser to the Governor on matters concerning the industrial and commercial use of nuclear energy.
HB 1095 transfers the administration of occupational boards for alcohol and other drug use professionals from the state board to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. The bill updates legal definitions for various roles, such as certified recovery support workers and licensed counselors, and shifts the responsibility for creating rules regarding licensing, testing, and continuing education to this new office. It also expands the ability of these professionals to provide telemedicine services and requires them to complete a workforce survey for data collection purposes. Additionally, the legislation outlines specific ethical standards and eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to obtain or renew their licenses.
