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HB 376 · 2025 · House · Judiciary Committee

Library card privacy under right-to-know law

AI-generated

specifying that library user information exempted from disclosure in the right-to-know law includes information regarding library cards and library membership status.

Exempts library card and library membership information from disclosure under the right-to-know law.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill exempts library card and library membership files and information from disclosure under the right-to-know law.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Without otherwise compromising the confidentiality of the files, nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a public body or agency from releasing information relative to health or safety from investigative files on a limited basis to persons whose health or safety may be affected.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Lisa MazurRPrimeVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Sherri ReinfurtRClerk· Housing
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. Sheila SeidelR

Public testimony

20 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

55% support45% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I commend the inclusion of information regarding library cards and library membership status in information that is exempt from right to know.…”
— Nicole Gauvreau, Meredithsupports
“I submit my testimony in support of HB376 with regard to release of library card information and membership through Right To Know requests.…”
— Sherri Reinfurt, Goffstownsupports
“I support this bill. Library cards status should be up to the patron to share information or not.”
— Cindy Bennett, Raymondsupports
“I oppose HB376. While what a library card holder accesses or borrows is protected and confidential, whether a person has a card is not exempted now from right-to-know laws nor should it be.”
— Mary Jenkins, Goffstownopposes
“What problem is this bill trying to solve for taxpayers? Why is this legislation necessary? A child has a right to privacy too.”
— Meaghan Overbagh, Camptonopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 30, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass16–1
    Overall
    94% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary5:30:14–5:31:251m 11slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:46:48–1:49:442m 56slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Feb 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 15, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary1:15:57–1:31:5415m 57slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 2 P. 17
  2. Jan 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2025 03:00 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Jan 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/30/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Jan 30, 2025House: Ought to Pass 01/30/2025 (Vote 16-1; CC) HC 12 P. 8
  5. Feb 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 9
  6. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  7. May 15, 2025SenHearing: 05/15/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 21
  8. May 22, 2025Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/22/2025; SC 22A
  9. May 22, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/22/2025; SJ 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.