Establishes conditions for dog access in New Hampshire state parks, allowing dogs year-round with certain restrictions.

This bill amends RSA 12-A to allow dogs in all state parks year-round, provided they are under control. Control is defined as being leashed with a 6-foot leash or reliably controlled. Dogs are restricted from specific areas such as swimming areas and beaches. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources cannot impose year-round or seasonal bans on dogs from entire parks. The bill also prohibits the department from mandating leashing as the sole method of control and from adopting new rules through other methods. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Establishes conditions for dog access in New Hampshire state parks, allowing dogs year-round with certain restrictions.

This bill amends RSA 12-A to allow dogs in all state parks year-round, provided they are under control. Control is defined as being leashed with a 6-foot leash or reliably controlled. Dogs are restricted from specific areas such as swimming areas and beaches. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources cannot impose year-round or seasonal bans on dogs from entire parks. The bill also prohibits the department from mandating leashing as the sole method of control and from adopting new rules through other methods. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.