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Judiciary subcommittee reviews HB 313, which would require notice when a person’s reputation is discussed in closed sessions
Summary
A Judiciary subcommittee work session examined HB 313, a proposal to require notice and attendance rights when a nonpublic meeting will discuss an individual’s reputation. Members and public commenters debated practical limits, exceptions for investigations, and how to prevent misuse of closed sessions. No action was taken.
A Judiciary subcommittee work session on HB 313 considered a bill that would give individuals notice and the ability to attend nonpublic (closed) meetings when their reputation will be discussed, but the panel took no action.
The bill’s sponsor and several committee members framed the discussion as an effort to protect people from reputational harm arising from closed-session discussions while carving out exceptions for active investigations. Phil Giroux, a Goffstown resident who testified, described being arrested after showing up at a closed session he said he had tried to attend and said the experience motivated his proposed changes: "I was arrested, prevented from attending a closed session, which basically I requested." He also said the town later sealed minutes he sought to review and that some charges against him were later vacated.
Committee members and other speakers focused on practical and legal…
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