HB 1771 — 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.
Last action — Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/28/2026; Chapter 98; eff.07/27/2026
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 17, 2025. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on June 01, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
In plain language
The bill maintains child care staffing ratios and the waiver system while ensuring notice about waivers.
This bill removes the planned repeal of child care staffing ratios and the related waiver system. It also requires the health department to provide notice regarding the availability of waivers.
What this means for you
- Workers: Child care workers may benefit from clearer staffing guidelines and continued support through the waiver system.
- Families: This means families can expect stability in child care staffing standards and may have access to waivers if needed.
Summary
(New Title) 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.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
25 added · 34 removedPlain-language change summary
The amended HB 1771 removes the scheduled repeal of child care staffing ratios and the waiver system that would have taken effect at the end of 2026. Additionally, it requires the Department of Health and Human Services to inform child care providers annually about their option to request a waiver for staffing requirements. This matters because it ensures that current staffing standards remain in place, helping to maintain quality care in child care settings, while also providing a structured way for providers to seek exemptions if needed.
CHAPTER 98 HB 1771-FN - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 7May2026...
CHAPTER 98 HB 1771-FN - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 7May2026...
198:1 Child Care Licensing;
298:2 Repeal.
2024, 197:3, I, relative to the prospective repeal on December 31, 2026, of RSA 170- E:11, I(c)I(c), relative to child care staffing ratios and the waiver system, is repealed.
398:3 Effective Date.
LBAApproved: 26-3132 Revised 02/10/2026 HB 1771-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS INTRODUCED AN ACT removing 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.
FISCALMay IMPACT:28, 2026 Effective Date:
TheJuly Office27, of2026 Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county and local expenditures or revenue.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services
View plain text versions (3)
- Chaptered CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION Current pdf
- Version adopted by both bodies View text pdf
- Introduced View text pdf
Action History
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Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/28/2026; Chapter 98; eff.07/27/2026
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Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13
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Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
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Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1795e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12
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Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-1795e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 05/07/2026); SJ 12
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Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
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Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 13
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Hearing: 03/25/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 11
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Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 7
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Ought to Pass: MA DV 331-2 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 66
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Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/03/2026 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 10 P. 30
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Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 230
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Public Hearing: 02/24/2026 02:30 pm GP 230
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Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 35
Sponsors
- Katy Peternel · Primary
- Margaret Drye · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 413 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Katy Peternel Republican
Co-sponsors (1)
- Margaret Drye Republican
Not signed on (413)
413 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 413 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 1771 do?
- (New Title) 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.
- Who sponsors HB 1771?
- HB 1771 is sponsored by Katy Peternel (Republican) and Margaret Drye (Republican).
- What is the current status of HB 1771?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 17, 2025. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 1771?
- Track HB 1771 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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