Judiciary Committee passes House Bill 666 to protect library card privacy

The New Hampshire Legislature convened on March 27, 2025, for a House Session focused on key legislative matters, particularly concerning privacy and library card confidentiality. The session began with discussions led by the judiciary committee, emphasizing their commitment to privacy as a fundamental principle in evaluating bills.

The first significant item on the agenda was House Bill 666, which aims to protect the confidentiality of library cards and membership status. A representative from the judiciary committee urged members to support the bill, highlighting its intent to impose penalties for violations of individual privacy. The discussion included a call for a roll call vote, which was officially seconded.

However, the bill faced scrutiny from several representatives. Concerns were raised regarding its execution, particularly the imposition of civil penalties without due process and the requirement for violators to issue notarized apologies to affected individuals. Representative Menos articulated these concerns, questioning the bill's flaws while acknowledging its good intentions.

In contrast, Representative Maeser defended the bill, citing a recent incident where private library card information was mishandled. He argued that the bill would prevent such occurrences in the future by introducing restitution payments for violations of confidentiality.

Following the debate, a roll call vote was conducted on House Bill 666. The results showed strong support, with 189 votes in favor and 172 against, leading to the adoption of the committee report.

The session continued with the introduction of House Bill 687, concerning class action settlements and consent decrees. The majority of the judiciary committee recommended that the bill ought to pass, while the minority expressed disagreement, labeling it as inexpedient to legislate.

As the session progressed, the discussions reflected a clear focus on privacy issues and the legislative process surrounding them. The outcomes of these votes and debates will shape future policies regarding individual privacy rights in New Hampshire.