HB 1502 establishes a new "Uniform Special Deposits Act" to regulate funds held by banks and credit unions for specific, contingent purposes. The law requires written agreements (account agreements) specifying the purpose, beneficiaries, and triggering events (contingencies), such as escrow for property sales or security deposits. Banks must pay beneficiaries only after a defined event occurs and the bank has actual or implied knowledge of it, preventing premature access to funds. This directly affects banks, credit unions, and their customers using specialized accounts like escrow, security deposits, or future benefit distributions.
This bill amends New Hampshire's domestic violence law by adding "coercive control" to the list of behaviors courts can consider when issuing protection orders. Coercive control is defined as a pattern of behavior - including isolating a victim from support, controlling finances, monitoring communications, or threatening harm to pets/children - that causes a reasonable fear for safety. The bill directly affects victims of domestic violence and the courts handling protection order cases by expanding the types of abusive conduct that can be legally recognized. It does not change existing penalties or require new funding, as confirmed by the fiscal note showing no state revenue or expenditure impact.
HB 1651 establishes sexual assault protective orders, allowing survivors to file civil petitions in circuit court to obtain court-issued orders for their safety. These orders, modeled after existing protective orders under RSA 173-B, can last up to one year initially and be extended for up to five years with court approval, requiring annual safety reviews. The bill also updates survivors' rights by guaranteeing free preservation of sexual assault evidence kits for up to 20 years (or the statute of limitations, whichever is longer), disclosure of kit results without compromising investigations, and written information about kit handling procedures. It directly affects sexual assault survivors and defendants facing these orders, while clarifying that attorneys may contact survivors under strict conditions for legitimate legal purposes.
HB 1555 modifies New Hampshire’s fire code administration to provide relief for existing buildings and streamline variance processes. It grants property owners a 20-year exemption from retroactively updating construction to meet new fire codes after receiving a certificate of occupancy (for permits issued July 1, 2026, or later). Local fire chiefs can approve variances from fire code requirements if safety is maintained, requiring property owners to provide fire safety engineer certification and sign an indemnification waiver assuming full liability for deviations. The bill also creates a new appeal path: decisions on variances can be reviewed de novo by the state fire marshal, with further appeals to the building code review board.
HB 1774 requires New Hampshire to participate in a federal tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations and creates a state list of qualifying groups. It prohibits state financial aid for college programs that don't meet federal earnings standards, defined by outcomes like job placement and wages above 150% of the federal poverty level. This affects public colleges, universities, and students enrolled in programs deemed "low-earning outcome" under federal criteria. The law aims to redirect state funding toward academic programs with stronger job prospects for graduates.
HB 1328 updates New Hampshire's licensing structure for alcohol and drug use professionals. It changes the board composition to include three master licensed alcohol and drug counselors (down from four) and two licensed alcohol and drug counselors (up from one), while eliminating the "licensed clinical supervisor" license and all related rules. This directly affects the board's membership and the licensing of professionals who previously held or sought the clinical supervisor credential. The bill removes four specific law sections about clinical supervisors and takes effect 60 days after passage.
HB 1563 adjusts New Hampshire's special education funding formula to better support school districts serving students with high-cost special education needs. It sets a new $60,000 threshold for aid eligibility (replacing the previous 3.5x average per-pupil cost formula), requiring districts to cover the first $60,000 plus 20% of costs up to $200,000 per student, while the state covers 80% of costs between $60,000-$200,000 and 90% above $200,000 - capping total state aid at $160,000 per student. The bill also creates emergency assistance funds ($250,000 annually for districts under 1,000 residents) to address sudden financial strain from special education costs. This directly affects school districts with students requiring costly specialized services, altering how costs are shared between districts and the state.
HB 1511 removes a representative from the Granite State Dairy Promotion from the Agriculture in the Classroom committee. The bill amends state law by repealing the specific provision that required this dairy industry representative to serve on the committee. This change directly affects the committee's membership composition but does not alter the committee's duties, funding, or other operational aspects. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
This bill (HB 1193) names the new 911 call service center in Laconia, New Hampshire (located at 311 Meredith Center Road) the "Bruce Cheney 911 Service Center" in recognition of Bruce G. Cheney's role in developing New Hampshire's statewide 911 emergency call system. It does not change any laws or policies - it is a commemorative act honoring Cheney's contributions. The naming takes effect 60 days after the bill is passed. This bill directly affects the facility's official designation and serves as a tribute to Cheney.
HB 1262 requires home heating oil, kerosene, and propane dealers to provide clear, written contracts that disclose all terms in plain language - including total costs, delivery details, and contact information for the state consumer protection hotline. The bill specifically regulates prepaid contracts by restricting advertising to May 1-October 31, mandating refunds for undelivered fuel within 30 days, and requiring dealers to secure contracts through methods like futures contracts, surety bonds, or liquid inventory. These rules directly affect dealers who sell prepaid home heating fuel and consumers who enter such agreements. The bill excludes budget plans with monthly payments from these requirements.
HB 1197 makes technical corrections to New Hampshire's insurance laws, specifically amending RSA 400-A:16 (Investigations, Enforcement) and RSA 400-A:36 (Annual Financial Statement). The Insurance Department requested these changes to clarify language, remove outdated references, and fix minor errors without altering substantive requirements for insurers or the department's authority. The bill does not create new obligations or change enforcement procedures but ensures the laws are accurately worded and consistent. It directly affects insurers, agents, and the Insurance Department by updating administrative language in existing statutes.
HB 1127 replaces New Hampshire’s current "Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act" with the "Uniform Voidable Transactions Act" to align state law with a national model. This bill updates terminology and definitions (such as "debtor," "creditor," and "insider") used in bankruptcy and debt collection cases, directly affecting creditors, debtors, and courts handling asset transfers. The key change is procedural - it doesn’t create new rules but standardizes existing legal language to match the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act used in other states. This simplifies legal processes for creditors seeking to recover assets transferred before bankruptcy.
