In one of the last sessions of the year, the New Hampshire Senate voted to pass a bill that would change zoning laws for family childcare providers and make it easier to open a small childcare center.
Family childcare, also known as home-based childcare, accounts for about 15% of licensed childcare in New Hampshire. Home-based childcare often provides families further away from population centers with access to care, but can be limited by zoning laws that conflict with state childcare licensing requirements.
In a consent calendar vote — a slate of bills deemed noncontroversial and acted upon in a single voice vote — the Senate voted to pass House Bill 1195. The bill redefined family childcare for local zoning purposes, allowing it by right on residential land. It also prohibits municipalities from preventing childcare centers “by right” in commercially zoned land so long as the center meets all childcare licensing requirements and serves fewer than 30 children. Limited exceptions are included in the bill.
The bill heads to Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s desk.
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