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HB 1195 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Zoning rules for child care centers

AI-generated

relative to municipal zoning requirements for child day care providers.

Defines child care centers for purposes of local zoning and requires municipalities to allow their operation by right on commercially zoned land when compliant with state licensing requirements.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill defines child care centers for purposes of local zoning requirements and provides that, with limited exception, municipalities shall allow the operation of a child care center by right on commercially zoned land provided that the center is in compliance with child care licensing requirements of the department of health and human services.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David PaigeDPrimeRanking Member· Housing
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Katy PeternelRVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Mary Jane WallnerDSenior Democratic Advisor
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader

Also: Rep. Dylan GermanaD, Rep. Denis MurphyR, Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

95 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

97% support3% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am a pediatrician and a former President of the NH chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.”
— greg prazar MD, Strathamsupports
“I support HB 1195 because zoning rules should not make it unreasonably difficult to operate child day care programs that families depend on.…”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“I urge support for this bill to remove barriers for child care providers. As a grandparent, I know how important my generation is in addressing the current child care crisis.”
— Martha Jane Rich, Enfieldsupports

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-109:25 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentGP 154Public hearing
  • 2026-02-179:00 amHouse Municipal and County GovernmentGP 154Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-04-219:15 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsSH 122-123Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 10
  2. Feb 10, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/10/2026 10:30 am GP 154
  3. Feb 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/17/2026 09:00 am GP 154
  4. Feb 17, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0724h 02/17/2026 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 10 P. 65
  5. Feb 27, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0738h
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0724h: AA DV 250-94 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 34
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0738h: AF DV 101-250 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 35
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0724h: MA VV 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 36
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  10. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:45 am; SC 15
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2136e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2136e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  16. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  17. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 217; eff. 7/1/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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