New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

New Hampshire House Bill HB1389

Introduced
12/6/23  
Refer
12/6/23  

Caption

Relative to authorizing persons who win the state lottery to remain anonymous.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1389 would significantly alter the landscape of lottery winner disclosures in New Hampshire. The proposed law aims to enhance the privacy of lottery winners by making personal information confidential, thereby protecting them from potential harassment or unwanted attention that may arise from their newfound wealth. This change reflects a growing trend in various states where legislative measures are being implemented to safeguard the identities of lottery winners, aligning with privacy concerns and individual rights.

Summary

House Bill 1389 introduces legislation to allow winners of the New Hampshire state lottery to remain anonymous. The bill seeks to amend existing laws relating to the certification of lottery prize winners, specifying that the financial and personal records related to lottery payments will be deemed confidential. This change would mean that unless a winner voluntarily consents to disclose their name and hometown, such information would be redacted from public access, ensuring greater privacy for individuals who win lottery prizes.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1389 appears to be largely positive among supporters who argue that the bill provides necessary protections for lottery winners. Proponents suggest that allowing anonymity would reduce the negative repercussions that often accompany winning a large sum of money, such as threats, scams, and invasive public scrutiny. However, there may be some opposing views from transparency advocates who believe that public knowledge of lottery winnings is essential to maintain trust in the system and ensure accountability.

Contention

Notable points of contention related to HB 1389 may stem from debates over public transparency versus individual rights to privacy. Transparency advocates may argue that certain information should remain accessible to the public to prevent potential misuse of lottery funds or fraud. On the other hand, proponents of the bill might contend that the potential risks faced by winners, including threats to personal safety and undue pressure, far outweigh concerns regarding public access to information. This tension between public interest and personal security reflects broader societal discussions about privacy in an increasingly connected world.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NH HB607

Relative to the regulation of games of chance.

NH HB115

Relative to changing the date of the state primary election.

NH SB105

Relative to information collected by the division of vital records administration as part of the live birth worksheet.

NH SB120

Relative to charitable gaming license applications, wages, stakes, and bonds.

NH HB314

Relative to the expectation of privacy in the collection and use of personal information.

NH SB112

Relative to pari-mutuel pools and historic horse racing.

NH HB221

Relative to the acquisition of agricultural land development rights and relative to advanced deposit account wagering and relative to the use of game cameras.

NH HB333

Relative to changing the date of the state primary election and adding a run-off election if necessary.

NH HB582

Requiring the division of vital records to collect induced termination of pregnancy statistics.

NH HB40

Relative to domicile residency, voter registration, and investigation of voter verification letters, and relative to the terms "resident," "inhabitant," "residence," and "residency."

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.