This Week at the State House (week of 1/27/25)

This week is packed with opportunities to shape New Hampshire's future. Signing in on bills takes less than five minutes and is a great way to show the legislature your opinion on a particular issue.

Here are some bills New Futures is tracking that you can sign in on this week:

Hearings on Monday, January 27

9:30 AM: HB 476 - Banning Abortion at 15 Weeks (House Judiciary, LOB Room 206-208)

Reproductive health care decisions should always stay between a patient and their doctor—not lawmakers. HB 476 would ban abortion in New Hampshire after 15 weeks of pregnancy. You can make your voice heard by signing in on this bill until midnight on Monday.

Hearings on Tuesday, January 28

11:15 AM: HB 433 - Allowing minors to get married if either party is active duty military (House Children and Family Law Committee, LOB Room 206-208)

Last year, New Hampshire banned child marriage by raising the legal age of marriage to 18. This year, efforts are already underway to chip away at this ban. HB 433 would allow 17-year-olds to marry if one person in the couple is active duty military.

Hearings on Thursday, January 30

1:00 PM: HB 432 - Supporting the Development of Recovery Housing (House Municipal and County Government Committee, LOB Room 301)

In New Hampshire, access to housing remains one of the greatest obstacles for people facing substance misuse. Although recent years have shown an increase in certified recovery homes across the state, the number of available beds still falls short of community needs. HB 432 would support the development of recovery housing in our state by helping cities and towns develop recovery housing resources.

Recapping Last Week

Youth-Risk Behavior Survey: Last week, the House Education Policy and Administration Committee held a public hearing on HB 446. The original language of HB 446 would add a requirement that schools share a copy of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questions with families via email at least 10 days before students will take the survey. However, a concerning proposed amendment (42h) would change the survey from an opt-out to an opt-in, which could significantly reduce participation and no longer show a clear picture of the behaviors of Granite State youth. Email the committee to urge them to oppose amendment 42h.

Legalizing Drug-Checking Equipment: The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on HB 226, which would make the use and distribution of test equipment legal in New Hampshire. As overdose deaths from opioids continue in New Hampshire, it is more important than ever to adopt evidence-based reduction strategies to save lives. Next, the committee will hold an executive session to vote on a recommendation for the bill. There’s still time to email committee members to urge them to support HB 226.

Housing Security for Older Adults: The House Housing Committee held a public hearing on HB 60, which threatens to remove tenant protections by allowing landlords to evict tenants without cause when their lease ends. No-cause evictions could exacerbate the ongoing homelessness crisis and negatively impact the health of Granite State children and adults. Next, the committee will hold an executive session to vote on a recommendation for the bill.

For more information about these issues and other priority legislation, check out our Current Legislation page.