SB 626 limits access to New Hampshire government records to individuals who live in the state. It requires anyone outside New Hampshire to provide proof of residency or domicile before submitting a right-to-know request. News organizations based outside New Hampshire are exempt from this residency requirement. The bill amends state law to define "citizen" as someone with a New Hampshire residence and updates procedures for record access.
This resolution designates the first Friday in June as a state day of remembrance for children in New Hampshire killed by gun violence. It directs the state to observe a moment of silence, fly flags at half-staff, and create a permanent memorial in the state house displaying the names of affected children. The resolution also urges Congress to establish a national day of remembrance with a similar memorial in the U.S. Capitol. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws but formalizes commemorative practices for grieving families and communities.
HB 1790 expands the definition of "mental illness" under New Hampshire law to include impairment primarily caused by substance use disorder (SUD) for involuntary admission purposes. This means individuals with SUD who meet specific danger criteria (such as extreme abnormal behavior or faulty perceptions) could now be subject to involuntary emergency or non-emergency admissions, similar to those with other mental health conditions. The bill explicitly excludes impairment from alcohol dependence, intoxication, epilepsy, or intellectual disability from this expanded definition. It directly affects people with SUD who pose a danger to themselves or others, requiring clinical evaluations and court processes under revised standards. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with potential impacts on healthcare resources and admission systems.
HB 1239 prohibits registered Tier II or Tier III sex offenders (for crimes against children under 13) from appearing within 1,000 feet of childcare facilities, churches, schools, or areas where children commonly gather under circumstances that would alarm reasonable people. This directly affects individuals convicted of sexual offenses against children under 13 who are required to register under New Hampshire law. The bill amends existing loitering statutes to add this specific restriction, creating a new criminal violation for such conduct near child-focused locations. It takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local cost impact.
This bill allows licensed veterinarians in New Hampshire to provide remote veterinary care using telehealth technology, such as video calls or phone consultations. It establishes specific requirements for creating a vet-client-patient relationship remotely, including real-time observation of the animal or access to electronic medical records, and mandates written client consent acknowledging equal care standards and the option for in-person visits. Veterinarians can prescribe medications remotely but must conduct in-person exams for controlled substances (except in hospice, palliative care, or transport emergencies). The law also requires vets to maintain confidentiality, provide emergency care instructions, and keep detailed telehealth records.
HB 1050 establishes that parents, educators, and community groups can provide educational instruction (referred to as "learning pods") to voluntarily associated children in any area within a municipality - whether zoned for specific land uses or not. It directly affects those organizing informal educational settings by overriding local zoning ordinances or land use rules that might previously have restricted such activities. The bill adds new provisions to state law stating that no zoning ordinance can restrict or prohibit educational instruction in municipally zoned or non-zoned areas. This creates a statewide right to operate learning pods without needing local government approval for land use. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1757 would require divorcing couples in New Hampshire to have been married for more than six years to qualify for alimony. It directly affects individuals ending short marriages (six years or less) by prohibiting courts from ordering either term alimony or reimbursement alimony in such cases. The bill amends existing divorce law to set this six-year minimum requirement for alimony requests, which must be filed before the divorce decree or within five years of its effective date. This change applies to all cases filed on or after January 1, 2027.
HB 1517 requires business entities (like corporations or LLCs) that own residential properties (such as single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, or quadruplexes) to disclose that a purchase involves an interest in the entity, not the property itself. It bans these entities from restricting the transfer of ownership interests (allowing owners to sell without approval), charging fees for transfers, or discriminating against qualified buyers. The bill also prohibits agreements from mandating disputes be resolved outside state or federal courts. This directly affects entities managing residential properties through ownership arrangements and the owners who purchase interests in them.
HB 1004 exempts detached residential buildings with up to four dwelling units (such as single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes) from automatic sprinkler system requirements in new construction, renovations, or conversions. The bill amends state building and fire codes to remove the mandate for sprinklers in these properties while allowing local authorities to require alternative water sources like cisterns or dry hydrants. Existing buildings without sprinklers are not required to retrofit them, and the exemption applies to all new projects starting 60 days after the bill's passage.
HB 1764 sets annual workforce housing targets for New Hampshire municipalities (cities, towns, and unincorporated areas) based on factors like available land, infrastructure access, and proximity to jobs. Municipalities failing to meet 50% of their cumulative target by 2028 must review zoning barriers and develop improvement plans, and may face a special property tax on high-value properties ($1.5M+). The tax revenue funds a revolving loan program offering below-market-rate financing to developers for workforce housing projects and related infrastructure upgrades. This bill directly affects local governments and housing developers by creating accountability measures and new funding streams for affordable housing.
HB 1404 establishes a study committee to examine how property is divided during divorce proceedings in New Hampshire. The committee, composed of five House members (including two from the Children and Family Law Committee) and two Senate members (including one from the same committee), will review state laws and other states' approaches to equitable property division. It must report its findings and any proposed legislative changes to state leaders by November 1, 2026. This bill does not change current divorce laws but sets up a review process to potentially inform future policy.
HB 1313 repeals New Hampshire's current law (RSA 132:37-40) that prohibited people from entering or remaining on public sidewalks adjacent to reproductive health care facilities. This directly affects individuals and groups seeking to engage in free speech activities - such as handing out literature or speaking - near clinic entrances. The key provision removes the buffer zone restriction, allowing people to approach sidewalks without legal penalty. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and has no estimated fiscal impact on state or local governments.
