This bill amends existing zoning laws to define and regulate child care centers within municipalities. It specifies that municipalities must allow the operation of child care centers by right on commercially zoned land, provided they comply with the licensing requirements set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill introduces new definitions for various types of child care centers and clarifies that family day care homes are not included in this definition. Additionally, it prohibits municipalities from adopting ordinances that differ from the established requirements of RSA 170-E and related rules.

Key changes include the insertion of provisions that allow family and group family child care as an accessory use to any primary residential use without local site plan review, as long as certain conditions are met. The bill also allows municipalities to exempt child care centers from specific requirements regarding setbacks, height, or frontage if the building's dimensions remain unchanged. However, it maintains the authority of municipalities to restrict child care centers in zones where such use may conflict with industrial and manufacturing activities. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 674:16
HB1195 text: 674:16