Bill Text - HB397 (2024)

Relative to the prohibition of the possession of hypodermic needles by minors.


Revision: Dec. 8, 2022, 11:44 a.m.

 

2023 SESSION

23-0574.0

05/04

 

HOUSE BILL [bill number]

 

AN ACT relative to the prohibition of the possession of hypodermic needles by minors.

 

SPONSORS: [sponsors]

 

COMMITTEE: [committee]

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill repeals the prohibition on minors possessing hypodermic needles without a prescription.  The bill also establishes a commission to study the possession of hypodermic needles by minors.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

23-0574.0

05/04

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

 

AN ACT relative to the prohibition of the possession of hypodermic needles by minors.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Repeal.  RSA 318:52-e, prohibiting minors from possessing hypodermic needles without a prescription, is repealed.

2  New Section; Commission Established to Study the Possession of Hypodermic Syringes and Needles by Minors.  Amend RSA 318 by inserting after section 52-e the following new section:

318:52-f  Commission Established to Study the Possession of Hypodermic Syringes and Needles by Minors. There is established a commission to study the possession of hypodermic syringes and needles by minors.

I.  The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a)  Three members of the house of representatives, from the health, human services and elderly affairs committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c)  A police officer, appointed by the governor.

(d)  A school nurse, appointed by the governor.

(e)  A pharmacist, appointed by the governor.

II.  Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

III.  The commission shall study the scope and application of RSA 318:52-c, relative to the sale of hypodermic syringes and needles, including:

(a)  Whether the restriction should be eliminated or exempt school nurses.

(b)  If the law should be moved to a different section with different penalties.

(c)  If an authorized agent clause should be added to match the requirements of possessing prescription drugs in RSA 318:42.

IV.  The commission shall solicit information and testimony from any individual or entity the commission deems relevant to its study.

V.  The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member.  The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Two members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VI.  The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2023.

3  Repeal.  RSA 318:52-f, relative to the commission to study the possession of hypodermic syringes and needles by minors, is repealed.

4  Effective Date.  

I.  Section 1 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2024.

II.  Section 3 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2023.

III.  The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.