This bill establishes new definitions and rules for prior authorization processes used by health insurance carriers and utilization review entities in New Hampshire. It requires these organizations to create written clinical review criteria based on current medical standards and to update them at least every two years with input from practicing providers. The law mandates that prior authorization requirements be clearly published on carrier websites in plain language and that providers receive at least 60 days' notice before any new restrictions take effect. Additionally, the bill ensures that medical necessity decisions are made by qualified health care providers under the direction of a licensed medical director.
This bill requires law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire to submit hate crime reports to the state police at least twice a year. The reports must detail the number of offenses and arrests, and the state police will publish these statistics on their website every 45 days. A hate crime is defined as any offense where an officer suspects the crime was motivated by bias against characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The law takes effect on September 1, 2024, and applies to all police departments operating within the state.
This bill requires municipalities in New Hampshire to obtain criminal background checks for anyone nominated as a health officer or deputy health officer. Under the new law, each town must request these records from the Department of Safety before nominating a candidate to ensure no prior convictions would disqualify them or interfere with their duties. While towns retain the discretion to review these reports according to their own hiring practices, the appointments remain subject to oversight by the Department of Health and Human Services commissioner. The changes take effect on September 1, 2024.
This law requires the executor of an estate to officially report the death of any voter aged 18 or older to their local town or city clerk within 30 days of being appointed. Once the clerk receives this notice, they must inform the town supervisors, who are then responsible for removing the deceased person's name from the voter registration list at their next meeting. The bill also mandates that supervisors who fail to erase the name of a deceased voter after receiving proper notice could face legal penalties.
This bill requires employers to continue paying health insurance premiums for emergency response and public safety workers who are appealing a denial of a workers' compensation claim based on a presumptive condition. The coverage must be maintained at the value of a single employee premium for up to 18 months while the claim is being reviewed. Eligibility for this benefit begins at the start of employment and lasts for 20 years after the worker separates from service.
This bill updates New Hampshire's wastewater engineering laws to clarify how the state funds sewage treatment projects and regulates professional certifications. It expands state financial support to cover engineering services and allows municipalities to receive state contributions for construction costs even without federal grants. The legislation also adjusts fees for reviewing engineering plans and renewing professional certificates, while establishing new rules for prequalifying consulting engineering firms. These changes directly affect local governments, wastewater treatment facilities, and licensed engineering professionals in the state.
This bill requires the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission to submit a report by November 1, 2024, to state legislative leaders and clerks. The report must examine problems related to copying, sharing, or using images from body-worn cameras worn by police. Specifically, the commission will look at how these images affect investigation sources, the privacy of suspects and officers, legal rules about sharing evidence with defendants, and public access rights under state law. The law takes effect immediately upon signing and does not change how cameras are used, but instead mandates a review of the issues surrounding the data they collect.
This bill authorizes New Hampshire's Business Finance Authority to issue bonds and other financial obligations specifically to fund student loans. By adding the authority to the list of entities permitted to issue such debt, the legislation aims to lower the cost of financing higher education for state residents and their families. The law requires that any bond issuance be approved by the governor and council after confirming that the funds will reduce student loan costs and that repayment and administrative expenses are adequately covered. Additionally, the authority gains the power to design loan programs, enter into contracts for loan servicing, and designate other organizations as agents to manage these financial arrangements.
This bill allows minors aged 16 and older in legal custody or guardianship to open their own bank accounts with the written consent of the Department of Health and Human Services or a court order. It clarifies that these young individuals are responsible for paying all account fees and any penalties resulting from violations of banking agreements, while protecting government agencies and foster parents from financial liability. Additionally, the legislation requires that a majority of the board of directors for mutual banks and mutual holding companies reside in New Hampshire or an adjacent state. These changes aim to improve financial access for foster youth and establish residency requirements for the leadership of certain financial institutions.
This bill updates the rules for inspecting state dams and creates a new committee to study how to better fund their upkeep. It requires the Department of Environmental Services to regularly inspect dams that could threaten public safety and sets specific conditions under which a dam previously classified as safe must be re-evaluated. The legislation also directs that money earned from leasing or selling state dams be used to pay off existing debt and repair other dams, while establishing a committee of legislators to review current funding methods and propose new solutions by November 2024.
This bill establishes a legislative committee to investigate how pharmacy benefit managers influence the cost, administration, and distribution of prescription drugs in New Hampshire. The committee, composed of one senator and three representatives, will examine specific issues such as the impact of clawbacks, steering practices toward mail-order pharmacies, and the role of plan design in consumer pricing. By soliciting testimony from relevant experts and entities, the group aims to understand these operational effects and determine if new oversight measures could lower drug costs. The committee is required to submit its findings and any legislative recommendations to state officials and the governor by November 1, 2024.
This bill requires health insurance carriers in New Hampshire to accept liability for medical costs paid by the state Medicaid program when a recipient has a third party, such as an auto insurer, responsible for those expenses. It mandates that these carriers must respond to state inquiries about payment claims within 60 days and prohibits them from denying claims based on late submission, specific form types, missing policyholder information, or lack of prior authorization. By removing several common reasons for denial, the law aims to streamline the process for the state to recover funds it has already spent on healthcare services.
