HB 653 proposed a pilot program within the state Department of Education to test non-physical alternatives to student restraint and seclusion in public schools. The bill aimed to directly affect students, particularly those with disabilities, by requiring schools to implement evidence-based behavioral supports instead of physical restraint or isolation. Key provisions included establishing a 3-year pilot in select school districts, training staff in de-escalation techniques, and collecting data on outcomes. The bill passed committee unanimously (8-0) but was ultimately deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by the Senate on November 3, 2025, preventing further action.
HB 198 proposed to legalize the possession of small quantities of cannabis for adults while establishing fines for smoking or vaping cannabis in public spaces. It would have directly affected adult residents who use cannabis, creating new legal allowances for personal use and penalties for public consumption. Key provisions included setting specific quantity limits for legal possession and defining public use violations with monetary penalties. The bill failed committee review on May 1, 2025, with a 3-2 vote declaring it "inexpedient to legislate," and was subsequently tabled, halting further progress. As a result, the proposed changes to cannabis laws were not enacted.
HB 445 establishes a study commission to investigate the reasons behind New Hampshire's shortage of law enforcement officers and identify potential solutions. The commission would gather data, analyze causes (such as recruitment or retention challenges), and propose actionable recommendations to state agencies. This bill does not provide immediate funding or change existing laws; it only creates a formal process to study the issue and report findings to the legislature. The commission's work would directly inform future policy decisions affecting law enforcement staffing.
HB 381 would limit legal liability for firearm manufacturers related to specific design features, such as grip styles or trigger mechanisms. It directly affects firearm manufacturers by shielding them from lawsuits claiming certain design choices caused harm. The bill's key provision would prevent courts from holding manufacturers liable for injuries tied to these enumerated design elements. This bill was tabled in the Senate on May 8, 2025, and did not advance further.
HB 53 would permit qualifying patients and their designated caregivers to legally cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use at home. The bill requires the state department to establish a system by December 1, 2025, allowing these individuals to report their cultivation locations. This change directly affects patients with medical conditions approved under current law and their legally designated caregivers. The provision shifts cultivation from an unregulated activity to a permitted, reportable practice under state oversight, without altering existing patient eligibility criteria.
HB 63 permits children with severe, life-threatening allergies to possess and self-administer epinephrine auto-injectors at recreation camps and schools under specific conditions. It requires written approval from a healthcare provider and parent/guardian, along with staff training on recognizing allergic reactions and administering epinephrine. Schools and camps must maintain accessible epinephrine doses and ensure staff follow-up care after use. The bill also provides liability protection for camps and schools that comply with these requirements, shielding them from lawsuits unless negligence is proven. This directly affects students and campers with allergies, as well as camp/school staff and healthcare providers.
HB 380 aimed to adjust penalties for criminal violations related to the therapeutic (medical) use of cannabis. It would have modified sentencing for offenses involving medical cannabis under state law. However, the bill was tabled on May 8, 2025, after a committee voted "inexpedient to legislate" (3-2), meaning it was not advanced further. As a result, no policy changes were enacted, and current penalties for medical cannabis violations remain unchanged.
HB 223 would have modified licensing requirements for health care facilities located within 15 miles of a critical access hospital. The bill aimed to establish specific standards for these facilities, directly affecting providers in rural areas near critical access hospitals. However, the bill was deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by committee (4-1 vote) and later laid on the table in the Senate, effectively halting its progress. No policy changes were implemented as the bill did not advance beyond committee review. The legislature did not pursue this measure further.
HB 301 would allow operators of New Hampshire's alternative treatment centers (ATCs) to establish an additional greenhouse for cultivating medical cannabis, subject to department rules and local zoning laws. This directly affects ATC operators by expanding their cultivation capacity while requiring the department to seek input from qualifying medical cannabis patients, caregivers, and local residents before approving new locations. The bill mandates that any new greenhouse must comply with all existing state regulations and local zoning requirements. It does not change the types of facilities permitted or alter patient access rules.
Inexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, 10/31/2025; SJ 1
HB 528 would reduce penalties for adults aged 18 and older possessing or using psilocybin (magic mushrooms), replacing criminal penalties with civil penalties like fines. The bill specifically targets adults 18+ who use psilocybin for personal use, aiming to shift enforcement from criminal charges to administrative fines. After passing a committee with amendments (2025-05-22), the bill was tabled by the Senate on June 5, 2025, and later deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" under Senate Rule 3-23 (October 31, 2025), halting further progress. As of November 3, 2025, the bill is effectively stalled and will not advance.
HB 226 proposed legalizing the use of drug checking equipment at events to help reduce harm from drug use. It would have allowed organizations to test substances for dangerous contaminants, directly affecting harm reduction programs and event organizers. The bill was referred to committee, received a "Inexpedient to Legislate" report with a 3-2 vote, and was later tabled by the Senate without further action. It did not advance to a floor vote or become law.
