This bill mandates that the Secretary of State conduct random audits of ballot-counting machines after primary and general elections to verify their accuracy. The process involves selecting at least eight machines from various locations, keeping their identities secret until election day, and comparing the digital results against a physical sample of paper ballots. An audit team, including trained staff and elected officials, must oversee the open comparison, with results reported to the public and legislative leaders within a week of the election. Additionally, the law clarifies that no one, including auditors, may mark ballots except in specific, authorized circumstances, and it requires the Secretary of State to publish all recount and audit procedures in advance.
This bill amends the state building code to require that all new buildings and dwelling units be tested for air leakage. The law mandates that these tests measure air exchange rates and ensures the results do not exceed 5.0 air changes per hour or 0.28 cubic feet per minute per square foot. Testing must follow specific industry standards and be conducted at a pressure of 0.2 inch water gauge. This change directly impacts construction projects by setting a stricter limit on how much air can escape through the building's enclosure.
This bill increases the maximum amount of money that can be awarded to surviving spouses and children in wrongful death cases involving loss of companionship and family relationships. Previously capped at $150,000 for spouses and $50,000 for children, the new limits are set at $500,000 and $300,000 respectively. The law allows courts to consider these damages alongside other losses like pain and suffering, while still applying rules that reduce payouts if the deceased or the claimant was partially at fault. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to lawsuits filed in probate courts regarding decedents' estates.
This bill updates New Hampshire laws regarding manufacturer service contracts, commonly known as consumer guaranty contracts, to provide greater consumer protection. It requires companies selling these contracts to register with the state, file their contract forms for public review, and stop using misleading marketing tactics such as fake checks or false price increase notices. The legislation also prohibits unfair discrimination, mandates fair handling of claims, and bans contract terms that would prevent consumers from enforcing their rights in court. Effective January 1, 2025, these rules apply to all service contracts covering property located within the state.
This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to share data for verifying the licenses of Medicaid providers. By matching provider names with their social security or taxpayer identification numbers, the two agencies can confirm that doctors and other healthcare professionals currently hold valid state licenses before they deliver services to Medicaid patients. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and establishes a formal process for these agencies to cross-reference their records to ensure provider eligibility.
This bill, known as the lead poisoning prevention and treatment act of 2024, requires health insurance providers in the state to cover the costs of blood lead testing for residents. The law applies to both individual and group health insurance plans and mandates that these tests be covered without higher co-payments, deductibles, or coinsurance compared to other similar medical benefits. Additionally, the coverage includes any necessary follow-up testing required when initial results show elevated lead levels or are inconclusive. The legislation takes effect on September 1, 2024.
This bill establishes a pilot program to offer free early cancer screening tests to active and retired firefighters in New Hampshire. The state will provide $5 million to cover costs for optional screenings that may include blood tests, ultrasounds, and lung CT scans, with a preference for vendors capable of detecting multiple cancer types. A committee of firefighter representatives and officials will create a plan to organize these screenings, track results, and report findings to the legislature after 12 and 24 months. Additionally, firefighters who paid for their own screenings after January 1, 2024, may receive reimbursement of up to $1,300. The program is designed to run for up to two years starting July 1, 2024, with all personal data kept confidential.
This bill modifies unemployment benefit rules to allow individuals working from home to remain eligible for benefits, provided they can find suitable work within their residence. Under the new provisions, a person is no longer disqualified for not being available for work outside their home unless there is a reasonable expectation of substantial employment opportunities available inside the home. The commissioner of the Department of Employment Services is tasked with creating specific rules to determine what constitutes a reasonable expectation of such work. This change directly affects unemployed workers who are currently working remotely or seeking remote positions while collecting unemployment insurance. The legislation takes effect immediately upon signing.
This bill prohibits healthcare providers from charging patients more than their insurance plan requires for emergency services and certain non-emergency care received at participating facilities. It specifically bans balance billing when a patient receives emergency treatment at an out-of-network hospital or sees an out-of-network doctor, ensuring patients only pay their standard copay or deductible. For non-emergency services at in-network hospitals, the ban applies unless the provider follows specific notice and consent rules to inform the patient about costs beforehand. The legislation also establishes a dispute resolution process to determine fair payment amounts when providers and insurers disagree on costs and adds balance billing violations to the list of unlawful acts under state consumer protection laws.
This bill authorizes the state's Injury Prevention Center to issue special multi-use decal plates for motor vehicles. The change allows the center to distribute these plates directly, expanding its ability to provide identification or benefits to eligible drivers. The new plates will become available for use starting on September 1, 2024.
This bill allows New Hampshire residents who will be away from their home for less than six months to designate a mailing address outside the state for receiving correspondence from the Department of Motor Vehicles. To use this option, individuals must submit a specific request form approved by the director, and the department will not mail original driver licenses or ID cards to these out-of-state locations. The change aims to ensure that temporary residents can still receive necessary mail without needing to update their legal residence address.
This bill amends state laws governing the licensing of residential care and health facilities in New Hampshire. It specifically allows a pediatric intermediate care facility that was established before July 1, 2023, to accept two additional residents beyond its current licensed capacity. This temporary authorization remains in effect until June 30, 2026, providing the facility with a limited extension to house more children. The change applies only to this specific type of facility and does not alter the general moratorium on increasing capacity for other nursing or rehabilitation homes.
