This bill establishes a Corrections Education and Vocational Planning Group to design and oversee career and educational programs within New Hampshire state prisons. The group will include representatives from corrections, higher education, community colleges, and formerly incarcerated individuals to assess labor market needs, plan curriculum, and address barriers to reentry. Key tasks include creating credit transfer agreements with colleges, evaluating facility resources, and exploring funding options to support inmates pursuing degrees. The group is required to submit annual reports to state officials starting in December 2024 to track its progress and recommendations.
This bill updates the rules for pre-trial competency evaluations in New Hampshire to ensure defendants are assessed by qualified professionals before facing trial. It allows courts to order evaluations by state or private psychiatrists or psychologists and expands where these exams can take place, including secure units, local clinics, or even remotely via electronic means, provided no party objects to the remote format. The law sets strict deadlines for completing these exams, requiring them within 45 days for incarcerated individuals and 90 days for others, while also mandating that courts review bail status or schedule status conferences if the evaluation is delayed. Additionally, the bill requires courts to provide forensic examiners with relevant medical and mental health records from the past three years and establishes that defendants must participate in the evaluation or face potential court sanctions.
SB 506 updates New Hampshire laws to align the age of juveniles with 18 rather than 17, affecting how minors are treated in the justice system and child welfare settings. The bill requires that individuals under 18 be considered children for various legal definitions, including school attendance, arrest record classification, and the duration of sex offender registration. It also mandates that criminal background checks for licensing residential care facilities must include all household members aged 18 or older. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that juveniles cannot be held in county correctional facilities for unpaid fines and sets specific age limits for shelter care facilities. These changes take effect on July 30, 2024.
This bill grants the New Hampshire Air National Guard, Army National Guard, and the 157 Air Refueling Wing Staff Judge Advocate offices access to criminal history, investigation, and court records. The law specifically applies to New Hampshire National Guard employees and service members, allowing these offices to retrieve such information to carry out their legal and administrative duties. By adding a new section to state law, the measure ensures that attorneys within these units can access confidential and public records as needed for their responsibilities. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.
This bill establishes a commission to study ways to replace the current road toll and vehicle registration fees as sources of funding for highway and bridge improvements. The commission will be composed of legislators, state agency representatives, and members from the automotive and non-profit sectors, with the specific goal of examining how electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles should contribute to infrastructure costs. The group is tasked with analyzing the environmental impact of these technologies, reviewing past studies, and recommending new revenue methods by December 2026. Once the commission completes its work, it will submit a final report to state officials with any proposed legislation to replace the existing toll system.
This bill requires municipalities to provide reasonable opportunities for placing manufactured housing and subdivisions, prohibiting them from completely banning these structures through zoning or other regulations. It mandates that if a town allows residential development, it must permit manufactured homes on individual lots in most residential zones, subject to the same lot size and spacing rules as conventional single-family homes. The law also ensures that manufactured housing parks can expand and that their lot sizes and density requirements remain reasonable, while eliminating the need for special permits that are not also required for traditional single-family housing.
This bill ensures that military-connected students transferring to a new school district receive their existing special education services immediately while waiting for a new evaluation to be completed. It also requires school districts to provide comparable services to these students upon arrival, regardless of whether the school is currently in session. Additionally, the legislation mandates that parents representing themselves in special education due process hearings can subpoena witnesses, with the state reimbursing witness fees for parents who are members of the armed forces if they win their case.
HB 1052 updates the requirements for submitting excavating and dredging permit applications to include both a paper version and a digital copy in PDF or an approved format. Local town or city clerks must receive these copies and distribute the digital version to local governing bodies, planning boards, and conservation commissions while keeping a paper record. The bill also allows state agencies to file their applications directly with the department, streamlining the process for government projects. These changes take effect 60 days after the law is passed.
This bill allows towns in New Hampshire to choose whether their conservation commission members are appointed by local officials or elected by voters. Under the new rules, a town meeting can vote to switch between these two methods, giving communities direct control over how their conservation leaders are selected. If a town opts for elections, members serve staggered three-year terms, and the town can later vote to return to the appointment system if desired. The legislation also clarifies that commission members must live in the town they represent and may serve on other municipal boards.
This law updates rules for historic horse racing and establishes a new requirement for casinos to host games that benefit their local communities. Under the new provisions, operators of historic horse racing tracks must sell betting pools only at facilities located in the same city or town where they originally obtained their licenses, and these licenses cannot be sold or transferred to other entities. Additionally, the bill mandates that game operators run between seven and ten special gaming events each year to generate revenue for their host municipalities without charging rent or fees. The legislation also clarifies that facilities must prioritize awarding these community gaming dates to local charities if they are available and wish to use the venue.
This bill creates a new fund within the state's Division of Archives and Records Management to support the preservation of historical records and objects. It authorizes the division's director to accept donations of these items and requires an annual report to the governor and council detailing all received gifts. Additionally, the legislation establishes a specific account for donated money used solely for maintenance purposes, which must be continuously available to the division. The law also adds a duty for the director to collect these donations on behalf of the state.
This bill allows school districts to keep a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors on hand to treat severe allergic reactions. It authorizes school nurses to decide how many doses to keep and permits doctors to write prescriptions in the name of the school district so pharmacies can fill them. Schools can buy these devices at reduced prices or through donations, and they must report annually on how often the medication is used.
