This bill amends local zoning laws to define and regulate child care centers, ensuring that municipalities allow their operation by right on commercially zoned land, provided they comply with the licensing requirements set by the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill introduces new definitions for various types of child care centers, including group child day care centers, infant and toddler programs, and preschool programs, while explicitly excluding family day care homes from this definition. Additionally, it mandates that municipalities cannot adopt ordinances that differ from the established requirements of RSA 170-E or related rules, thereby standardizing the regulations across jurisdictions.

Key changes include the insertion of provisions that allow family and group family child care to operate by right in residential areas without local site plan review, as long as they meet health department requirements. The bill also allows existing buildings to be converted into child care centers without altering their exterior dimensions and permits local site plan reviews for centers with a capacity exceeding 30 children. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 674:16
As Amended by the House: 674:16
Version adopted by both bodies: 674:16
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 674:16
HB1195 text: 674:16