Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Section; Dog Access in State Parks. Amend RSA 12-A by inserting after section 2-k the following new section:
12-A:2-l Dog Access in State Parks.
I. Dogs shall be permitted year-round in all state parks operated by the department of natural and cultural resources, provided the dog is under control.
II. For purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed under control if:
(a) The dog is leashed using a fixed-length leash not exceeding 6 feet in length; or
(b) The dog is reliably controlled through other methods deemed acceptable by the department.
III. The department shall not be required to mandate leashing as the sole method of control, provided alternative control methods are deemed sufficient to protect public safety and park operations.
IV. The department shall not impose year-round or seasonal bans on dogs from entire parks. Restrictions shall be limited to specific areas where dog access poses a documented risk, including but not limited to:
(a) Swimming areas;
(b) Beaches during peak seasons;
(c) Environmentally sensitive zones; and
(d) Temporary event areas, including but not limited to the Mount Sunapee arts and crafts festival.
V. Except as provided in paragraph IV, dogs under control shall be permitted wherever their owners are permitted within state parks.
VI. Nothing in this section shall be construed to override lawful restrictions necessary for public safety, environmental protection, or operational integrity.
VII. The department shall not adopt new rules or policies that conflict with the provisions of this section. Existing rules may be referenced for implementation purposes but shall not override this section.
2 Rulemaking. Amend RSA 12-A:2-c, II(a) to read as follows:
(a) Conduct of persons using the property, including prohibitions or restrictions on use, restrictions on smoking, transportation of any substances, articles, or other matter .
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Dog Access in State Parks. Amend RSA 12-A by inserting after section 2-k the following new section:
12-A:2-l Dog Access in State Parks.
I. Dogs shall be permitted year-round in all state parks operated by the department of natural and cultural resources, provided the dog is under control.
II. For purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed under control if:
(a) The dog is leashed using a fixed-length leash not exceeding 6 feet in length; or
(b) The dog is reliably controlled through other methods deemed acceptable by the department.
III. The department shall not be required to mandate leashing as the sole method of control, provided alternative control methods are deemed sufficient to protect public safety and park operations.
IV. The department shall not impose year-round or seasonal bans on dogs from entire parks. Restrictions shall be limited to specific areas where dog access poses a documented risk, including but not limited to:
(a) Swimming areas;
(b) Beaches during peak seasons;
(c) Environmentally sensitive zones; and
(d) Temporary event areas, including but not limited to the Mount Sunapee arts and crafts festival.
V. Except as provided in paragraph IV, dogs under control shall be permitted wherever their owners are permitted within state parks.
VI. Nothing in this section shall be construed to override lawful restrictions necessary for public safety, environmental protection, or operational integrity.
VII. The department shall not adopt new rules or policies that conflict with the provisions of this section. Existing rules may be referenced for implementation purposes but shall not override this section.
2 Rulemaking. Amend RSA 12-A:2-c, II(a) to read as follows:
(a) Conduct of persons using the property, including prohibitions or restrictions on use, restrictions on smoking, transportation of any substances, articles, or other matter , and standards for control of dogs consistent withRSA 12-A:2-l .
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.