HB 1771-FN (2026): removing the prospective repeal of child care staffing ratios and the associated waiver system and requiring the department of health and human services to provide certain notice regarding availability of the waiver.

HB 1771-FN (2026)

removing the prospective repeal of child care staffing ratios and the associated waiver system and requiring the department of health and human services to provide certain notice regarding availability of the waiver.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Children and Family Law
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Children
• Chapter law: 98

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 24, 2026, with 4 people signed in online: 1 in support and 3 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a division vote 331–2. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 9, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on May 14, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-1795e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on May 28, 2026, making it Chapter 98 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Katy Peternel (R - Carr 6) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Margaret Drye (R - Sull 7)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 24, 2026, 2:30 PM: public hearing, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• March 3, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 25, 2026, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• April 9, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 331, nays 2, passed
• April 9, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 170-E:11

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 35
• HC 10, page 30
• HJ 7, page 66
• SJ 7
• SC 11
• SC 13
• SJ 8
• SJ 12
• HJ 12, page 40
• SJ 13
• HJ 13, page 147