New HampshirePublic employers must explain suspensions starting in January 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, public employers must explain suspensions in writing within seven days, except for workers whose union contracts set disciplinary procedures covering suspension.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, suspended public employees must receive written reasons within seven days and updates every 90 days. Workers whose union contracts set disciplinary procedures covering suspension are exempt.
The law requires the state personnel division to record specified Department of Corrections jobs in the Group II job category. Only the individually listed positions qualify.
Argument forWritten reasons and regular updates could help covered public employees understand why they were suspended and where their cases stand.
Argument againstPreparing written notices and recurring updates could take public employers' staff time, especially when suspensions continue without a final decision.
More detail
Public employers must provide written reasons within seven days of suspension and status updates every 90 days until a final decision. The requirements cover paid and unpaid suspensions of New Hampshire state and local government employees, including school employees. Workers are exempt if their union contract establishes disciplinary procedures that include suspension. The written notice must include the expected length of the suspension if it is known. The notice and update requirements take effect January 1, 2027.
The state personnel division must record the listed Department of Corrections positions in the job category called Group II. Covered Department of Corrections jobs include specified mental health counselors, nurses, and supervisors, along with other listed positions. Recognition applies only to the job titles and position numbers listed in the law. The law sets June 30, 2026, as the effective date for this recognition.
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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 20Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 321; eff. I. Sec 1 eff 1/1/2027 II Rem eff 6/30/2026Became Law
- Jul 6Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15To Governor
- Jul 6Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56
- Jun 23Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2183e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 52
- Jun 23Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2183e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14Major
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report 2026-2099c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 15
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report # 2026-2099c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
- May 28Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2099c; 06/04/2026
- May 27Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
- May 26Conference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 10:30 am GP 232
- May 22Conferee Change: Rep. DeRoy Replaces Rep.Slottje 05/22/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
- May 20President Appoints: Senators Pearl, Lang, Rosenwald; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
- May 20Sen. Pearl Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
- May 19Conferee Change: Rep. Dargie Replaces Rep. Grote 05/19/2026 HJ 13 P. 1574
- May 14Speaker Appoints: Reps. Layon, Slottje, C. McGuire, Grote 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
- May 14House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1645s (Rep. Layon): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
- May 7Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1645s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11Passed Senate
- May 7Committee Amendment # 2026-1645s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- Apr 27Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1645s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17Minor
- Apr 1Hearing: 04/08/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:50 am, on proposed non-germane amendment # 2026-1299s; SC 13Minor
- Mar 19Hearing: 03/25/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:50 am; SC 11
- Mar 17Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7Minor
- Mar 11Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0620h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 39Passed House
- Mar 11Amendment # 2026-0620h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 39
- Mar 4Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0620h 02/11/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 10 P. 18Minor
- Feb 5Executive Session: 02/11/2026 10:00 am GP 231
- Jan 15Public Hearing: 01/28/2026 01:45 pm GP 231
- 2025
- Dec 1Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 6Introduced
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