New HampshireNew Hampshire employers have 20 days to answer wage claims
New Hampshire employers have 20 days after notice to object to a wage claim before the labor commissioner may order payment.
What it does
Employers have 20 days after getting notice of a wage claim to object and explain why they dispute it. If they do not object in time, the commissioner may order payment as claimed.
Argument forEmployers could use the extra time to gather records and explain why they dispute an employee's wage claim.
Argument againstThe longer response period could delay a payment order, which may make employees wait longer for wages they are owed.
More detail
The labor commissioner gives an employer 20 days after notice to object to a wage claim. An employee or the labor department on its own motion may file a wage claim within 36 months after the wages were due. An objection must state its grounds. If the employer does not object within 20 days, the commissioner may order payment as claimed. The 20-day period starts when the employer receives notice. The act took effect July 7, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Enrolled (in recess of) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82To Governor
- May 12Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 05/08/2026; Chapter 50; eff. 07/07/2026Became Law
- Apr 28Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11Minor
- Apr 9House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-0786s (Rep. Creighton): MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 8
- Mar 5Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0786s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5Passed Senate
- Mar 5Committee Amendment # 2026-0786s, AA, VV; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
- Feb 18Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0786s, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8Minor
- Feb 12Hearing: 02/17/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:30 am; SC 6
- Feb 9Introduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 4Minor
- Feb 5Ought to Pass: MA DV 175-162 02/05/2026 HJ 3 P. 54Passed House
- Jan 28Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Jan 28Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 01/27/2026 (Vote 11-9; RC) HC 5 P. 25Minor
- Jan 21Executive Session: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 159
- Jan 14Public Hearing: 01/20/2026 01:45 pm GP 159
- 2025
- Dec 1Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services HJ 1 P. 9Introduced
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