This bill establishes a legislative committee to study how law enforcement, medical providers, and child protection services can better share confidential records to protect children from abuse. The committee will examine current privacy laws, identify barriers to information exchange, and review best practices used in other states to improve communication among these groups. Its members will gather testimony from various agencies and experts, and the group is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations by November 1, 2024.
This bill establishes three new requirements for hunters and fishermen in New Hampshire. It mandates the creation of registration stations to tag bears killed in the state and requires all hunters aged 16 and older to carry a valid federal duck stamp when hunting migratory waterfowl. Additionally, the law introduces a landing license for individuals who transport lobsters and crabs taken outside New Hampshire waters into the state for sale or personal use. These measures aim to improve wildlife tracking, ensure compliance with federal conservation laws, and regulate the importation of shellfish.
This bill allows local municipalities to add a specific section to their land use master plans dedicated to waste reduction. The new provision requires these plans to outline strategies for lowering solid waste disposal through methods like recycling, composting, and managing hazardous or electronic waste. Communities can implement these strategies by conducting needs analyses, organizing town waste committees, seeking grant funding, and collaborating with neighboring regions. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed, giving towns time to update their existing planning documents.
This bill establishes a legislative committee to study the creation of a civilian corps in New Hampshire focused on clean energy, community resilience, and conservation efforts. The committee will analyze the feasibility and costs of programs designed to deploy clean energy, rebuild coastal wetlands, manage forests, and protect public lands while seeking funding that does not rely on taxpayer money. Additionally, the group will explore partnerships with educational institutions and employers to provide workforce training and career pathways for participants. The committee is required to submit its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2024, without enacting any new laws itself.
This bill creates a new advisory group to explore funding options for building and renovating career and technical education facilities in New Hampshire. The group will be made up of education officials, community college leaders, school administrators, and business representatives who will meet to study how to better support these programs. Their main task is to investigate whether high school and community college CTE programs can share resources or locations to save money. The group must submit its findings and any suggestions for new laws to state leaders by May 30, 2025.
This bill changes how members of the Board of Tax and Land Appeals and the Housing Appeals Board are selected and removed. It shifts the power to appoint these board members from the Supreme Court to the Governor and Executive Council, while also requiring a hearing before confirmation. The law establishes five-year terms for board members and outlines a process for removing them for reasons such as neglect of duty or misconduct. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2025.
This bill establishes a new Professional Standards Board to advise the state on teacher certification and professional growth. The board will consist of 21 members, including the education commissioner, nine representatives from classroom and higher education, and two layperson members. The legislation requires that at least three higher education representatives work for community colleges or universities, with one specifically representing career technical education principals. Effective September 24, 2024, the board will begin its advisory role to the state board of education.
This bill updates the rules for how physician assistants in New Hampshire must work with doctors by defining specific terms like "collaboration" and "participating physician." It creates a new pathway allowing experienced physician assistants with over 8,000 hours of clinical training to practice without a local doctor if they receive a waiver from the state medical board, while those with fewer hours must continue to have a written agreement with a New Hampshire physician. The legislation also temporarily suspends state licensure requirements for certain out-of-state physician assistants working at the state Veterans Affairs Medical Center and establishes a committee to study the profession's scope of practice.
This law prohibits health insurance companies from setting payment rates for advanced practice registered nurses based only on their professional license. Starting January 1, 2025, insurers must consider other factors beyond licensure when determining reimbursement amounts for these nurses. The change ensures that nurse compensation is not automatically reduced solely because they hold a specific type of license. Health carriers and advanced practice registered nurses are the primary groups directly affected by this new requirement.
This bill updates laws regarding how real estate brokers handle drivers' licenses during property transactions. It allows brokers to scan and keep digital copies of licenses to verify ownership but requires them to delete these files by the closing date or immediately upon request from the license holder. The legislation also clarifies rules for pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers, permitting them to scan licenses with consent to check stolen goods databases while restricting how long they can keep those records. Effective January 1, 2025, the law aims to balance the need for identity verification in real estate sales with the protection of personal information.
This bill establishes a voluntary certification program for doulas and lactation service providers to make their services eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid. The state's office of professional licensure and certification is tasked with creating the rules and processes for this certification, while ensuring the program includes diverse community members. The law clarifies that this new certification does not replace existing federal funding or prevent individuals already certified under other laws from working. It took effect on July 1, 2024, allowing certified providers to bill Medicaid for their specific services under separate coverage rules.
This bill updates zoning laws in New Hampshire to make it easier for families to operate home-based child care businesses. It allows family and group family child care to be used as an accessory to any residential property without needing a special site plan review, provided they meet state health and safety standards. Local governments must permit these facilities by right or through a conditional use permit, and providers can start operating immediately if their state permit is pending while waiting for local approval. The changes take effect 60 days after the law is passed.
