It’s time for another installment of what’s going on in NH law. Today we’ll be talking about some NH law topics that have cropped up for the previous month, and where they are at.
NH allows X on Driver’s Licenses for Gender Marker
New Hampshire has become the 13th state in the United States to allow an X marker (instead of F or M) in the gender area on a driver’s license. This new law, HB 669, passed on July 11th, 2019. Governor Chris Sununu allowed it to pass without a signature, while signing 42 other bills into law. People can begin to see the third gender option starting in January of 2020. Read more on NHPR
New Law Requires Prescription Warning about Opioids
A new law Gov. Sununu signed and passed requires prescriptions containing opioids to be clearly marked as such. This change comes during a time where most New England states are struggling with opioid addiction and how to best help and treat individuals suffering from it. Starting in 2020, you can expect to see “opioid” cap stickers on prescriptions containing opioids. Read more on the Concord Monitor
NH Clarifies Voting Status for Convicted Felons
It has long been thought that once you are a felon, you no longer have voting rights. In NH, once you have served your time and are no longer incarcerated, individuals with a felonious criminal record can vote, even if on parole or probation. New language in HB 486 aims to clarify that “final discharge” actually means “no longer incarcerated”, and to attempt to better educate individuals about their voting rights. Expect this new language in September of 2019. Read more on NHPR
“Pay to Stay” Prison Practice Going Away in NH
After serving time in prison, one of the last things you’d expect would be to get a bill for your time spent there. However, that’s exactly what happens on occasion in NH, to men like Eric Cable, who served four years for negligent homicide. Many individuals who come out of incarceration have a difficult time finding jobs and homes, so to see a bill of upwards of $120,000 (or more) can be even more difficult to deal with. The new law changes still allow for the billing of room and board, but requires that the attorney general’s office only seek reimbursement if the former inmate has the ability to repay it. It also allows for the former inmate to object in court. Read more on the Concord Monitor
NH Law Changes Expand Protections for Child Sex-Traffic Victims
Gov. Sununu passed into law last week revisions to current NH law which protects children from being prosecuted for prostitution, lewdness, and indecent exposure. The new law adds protection from criminal penalties for non-violent crimes such as theft and drug dealing, which juvenile sex-traffic victims are often forced into. Read more on NBC Boston
July has been a busy month for New Hampshire law. We hope to see more positive changes in the upcoming months. We will keep you up to date.
