Advocates for HB1319 gathered at the State House Legislative Office Building on January 17 to show their support for the bill. ~ Photo Courtesy of Freedom New Hampshire’s Facebook page.

CONCORD, NH -A bill seeking to protect transgender Granite Staters from discrimination is being heard by a House Committee.

House Bill 1319 would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity for employment, access to housing, and public spaces like restaurants, shops, and government buildings throughout New Hampshire.

Advocates gathered at the State House Legislative Office Building for a news conference today to show support for the bill.

“We’ve always valued freedom and opportunity here in New Hampshire,” said the bill’s lead sponsor Representative Ed Butler (D-Hart’s Location). “HB 1319 isn’t about creating new or special protections for anyone – it’s simply about updating our state’s laws so that our transgender friends and loved ones have the same protections as everyone else. Our state is at its strongest when we’re all free to work hard, earn a decent living, and go about our lives without fear of discrimination. That’s all HB 1319 is about.”

“The Business and Industry Association is constantly seeking new ways to make New Hampshire more competitive and make it the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family. In our view, transgender freedom is an issue of economic competitiveness,” said David Juvet, Senior Vice President of Public Policy for the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association. “New Hampshire has a significant workforce shortage. We believe that our legislature should do all it can to position the state as being welcome to all, including those who are transgender.”

“At the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation we take women’s safety and privacy very seriously. Nothing in HB 1319 would change the fact that it is already illegal to threaten or assault a woman in a public bathroom,” said Sarah Mattson Dustin, Director of Policy at the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation. “Transgender people face disproportionate rates of discrimination, harassment, and violence in all areas of their lives. Transgender women are women, and like all women, we want them to be safe, to have equal opportunity, and to be treated fairly. That is what HB 1319 offers.”

All of the other New England states and multiple other states across the nation have similar protections in law.

New Hampshire provides protections already based on race, religion, sexual orientation and several other factors.

A similar measure passed the House Health and Human Services Committee in last year 15-2 but was then tabled by House leadership last year.

The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a bill hearing on Jan. 31.

Story written with contributions from Barbara MacLeod
(207) 752-0484, barbmacleod@comcast.net

NEWRY, Maine (AP) — Officials say two New Hampshire teenagers sneaked onto Maine’s Sunday River resort while it was closed, went sledding on a ski trail and crashed into a tree, killing one and seriously injuring the other.

Oxford County Chief Deputy Hart Daley says three people were involved in the illicit, after-hours outing early Wednesday on an inflatable tube. Sledding is not allowed on ski trails, and the mountain was closed.

Portsmouth High School Principal Mary Lyons confirmed that a senior, David Kohlhase, died in the crash, and that another student was hospitalized. Police say the third person called for help.

A resort spokeswoman said it happened on the Tempest Trail, which is steeper than most sledding hills. Part of it is rated for expert skiers, and part is rated for intermediate skiers.

CONCORD,NH – Governor Chris Sununu, House and Senate lawmakers, law enforcement leaders and crime victims gathered to show support for legislation to help crime victims.

This afternoon the Governor announced that the constitutional amendment known as Marsy’s Law could go on the November ballot.

The amendment would require prosecutors to inform victims of proceedings involving the accused and the right for them to be heard in hearings involving the release, sentencing and parole.

Attorney General Gordon MacDonald, Senate Minority Leader Jeff Woodburn, and victims of crime and their families joined Governor Sununu as he announced his support for Marsy’s Law.

The Governor said “When victims of crime find the strength to come forward and engage in the criminal justice process we must ensure that they have basic rights and protections in place. Victims of crime deserve equal constitutional rights – the same rights as defendants. No more, no less. Let’s get this done.”

Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs for New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and State Director for Marsy’s Law for All said “There is a critical imbalance that exists within the criminal justice system in New Hampshire. We are proud to be a part of a broad coalition working to clarify and enhance the rights of victims of crime.”

The law is in honor of Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas, a California student who was killed in 1983 by a former boyfriend. The national effort is led by her brother, Dr. Henry Nicholas. A week after she was killed, Henry Nicholas and his mother crossed paths with the suspect in a grocery store. They were never informed that he was released on bail.