TITLE I
THE STATE AND ITS GOVERNMENT

Chapter 21
STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION

Section 21:1

    21:1 Application. – In the construction of all statutes the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the legislature or repugnant to the context of the same statute.

Source. RS 1:30. CS 1:30. GS 1:1. GL 1:1. PS 2:1. PL 2:1. RL 7:1.

Section 21:2

    21:2 Common Usage. – Words and phrases shall be construed according to the common and approved usage of the language; but technical words and phrases, and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law, shall be construed and understood according to such peculiar and appropriate meaning.

Source. GS 1:2. GL 1:2. PS 2:2. PL 2:2. RL 7:2.

Section 21:3

    21:3 Number; Gender. – Words importing the singular number may extend and be applied to several persons or things; words importing the plural number may include the singular; and words importing the masculine gender may extend and be applied to females. Gender-specific terms relating to the marital relationship or familial relationships, including without limitation, "spouse," "family," "marriage," "immediate family," "dependent," "next of kin," "man," "woman," "groom," "bride," "husband," "wife," "widow," or "widower," shall be construed to be gender-neutral for all purposes throughout New Hampshire law, whether in statute, state administrative or court rule, policy, common law, or any other source of civil state law.

Source. RS 1:1, 2. CS 1:1, 2. GS 1:3. GL 1:3. PS 2:3. PL 2:3. RL 7:3. 2014, 160:4, eff. July 10, 2014.

Section 21:4

    21:4 State; United States. – The word "state," when applied to different parts of the United States, may extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall include said district and territories.

Source. RS 1:3. CS 1:3. GS 1:4. GL 1:4. PS 2:4. PL 2:4. RL 7:4.

Section 21:5

    21:5 Town. – The word "town" shall extend and be applied to any place incorporated, or whose inhabitants are required to pay any tax, and shall mean that city, town, ward, or place in which the subject-matter referred to is situate, or in which the persons referred to are resident, unless from the context, a different intention is manifest.

Source. RS 1:4. CS 1:4. GS 1:5. GL 1:5. PS 2:5. PL 2:5. RL 7:5.

Section 21:6

    21:6 Resident; Inhabitant. – A resident or inhabitant or both of this state and of any city, town, or other political subdivision of this state shall be a person who is domiciled or has a place of abode or both in this state and in any city, town, or other political subdivision of this state, and who has, through all of his or her actions, demonstrated a current intent to designate that place of abode as his or her principal place of physical presence to the exclusion of all others.

Source. RS 1:5. CS 1:5. GS 1:6. GL 1:6. PS 2:6. PL 2:6. RL 7:6. RSA 21:6. 1981, 261:1, eff. June 16, 1981. 2018, 370:1, eff. July 1, 2019.

Section 21:6-a

    21:6-a Residence. – Residence or residency shall mean a person's place of abode or domicile. The place of abode or domicile is that designated by a person as his or her principal place of physical presence to the exclusion of all others. Such residence or residency shall not be interrupted or lost by a temporary absence from it, if there is an intent to return to such residence or residency as the principal place of physical presence.

Source. 1981, 261:1, eff. June 16, 1981. 2018, 370:1, eff. July 1, 2019.

Section 21:7

    21:7 Biennial; Annual. – The words "biennial" and "biennially," when applied to meetings and elections in towns, shall mean the biennial meetings and elections required by law to be holden in the month of November biennially, dating from the commencement of biennial elections in 1878; and the word "annual," when applied to meetings and elections in towns, shall mean the annual meetings and elections required by law to be holden in the month of March.

Source. RS 1:6. CS 1:6. GS 1:7. GL 1:7. PS 2:7. PL 2:7. RL 7:7.

Section 21:8

    21:8 Month; Year. – The word "month" shall mean a calendar month, and the word "year" a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed; and the word "year" shall be equivalent to the expression "year of our Lord."

Source. RS 1:7. CS 1:7. CS 1:8. GL 1:8. PS 2:8. PL 2:8. RL 7:8.

Section 21:9

    21:9 Person. – The word "person" may extend and be applied to bodies corporate and politic as well as to individuals.

Source. RS 1:8. GS 1:8. GS 1:9. GL 1:9. PS 2:9. PL 2:9. RL 7:9.

Section 21:10

    21:10 Charter. – The word "charter" may include the articles of agreement by which a corporation is formed under the general laws.

Source. PS 2:10. PL 2:10. RL 7:10.

Section 21:11

    21:11 Seal. – When the seal of a court, public officer, or corporation is required by law to be affixed to any paper the word "seal" shall include an impression of the official seal made upon the paper alone, as well as an impression thereof made by means of wax, or a wafer, affixed thereto. The seal of a corporation upon a corporate bond or other corporate obligation for the payment of money may be a facsimile, engraved or printed, where such bond or other obligation is authenticated or certified by a trustee.

Source. RS 1:9. CS 1:9. GS 1:10. GL 1:10. PS 2:11. PL 2:11. RL 7:11. RSA 21:11. 1963, 38:3, eff. June 4, 1963.

Section 21:12

    21:12 Justice. – The word "justice," when applied to a magistrate, shall mean a justice of a municipal court, or a justice of the peace having jurisdiction over the subject-matter.

Source. RS 1:10. CS 1:10. GS 1:11. GL 1:11. PS 2:12. PL 2:12. RL 7:12.

Section 21:13

    21:13 Preceding; Following. – The words "preceding" and "following," when used by way of reference to any section of these laws, shall mean the section next preceding or following that in which such reference is made, unless some other is expressly designated.

Source. RS 1:11. CS 1:11. GS 1:12. GL 1:12. PS 2:13. PL 2:13. RL 7:13.

Section 21:14

    21:14 Said; Such. – The words "said" and "such," when used by way of reference to any person or thing, shall apply to the same person or thing last mentioned.

Source. RS 1:12. CS 1:12. GS 1:13. GL 1:13. PS 2:14. PL 2:14. RL 7:14.

Section 21:15

    21:15 Joint Authority. –
Unless otherwise expressly declared:
I. Words purporting to give a joint authority to 3 or more public officers shall give such authority to a majority of them.
II. The authority of any board, commission, or other body whose members are approved by the governor and council to conduct official business shall be vested in a majority of those members who have been approved by the governor and council.

Source. RS 1:13. CS 1:13. GS 1:14. GL 1:14. PS 2:15. PL 2:15. RL 7:15. 2009, 260:1, eff. Sept. 14, 2009.

Section 21:16

    21:16 Grantor; Grantee. – The word "grantor" may include every person by or from whom any estate or interest in land passes in or by any deed; and the word "grantee" may include every person to whom any such estate or interest passes in like manner.

Source. RS 1:14. CS 1:14. GS 1:15. GL 1:15. PS 2:16. PL 2:16. RL 7:16.

Section 21:17

    21:17 Mortgagor; Mortgagee. – The word "mortgagor" or "mortgagee" may include any person claiming under such party or having his right.

Source. RS 131:17. CS 137:17. GS 1:16. GL 1:16. PS 2:17. PL 2:17. RL 7:17.

Section 21:18

    21:18 Insane. – The words "insane" or "insane person" shall include every idiot, non-compos, lunatic, insane, or distracted person.

Source. RS 1:15. CS 1:15. GS 1:17. GL 1:17. PS 2:18. PL 2:18. RL 7:18.

Section 21:19

    21:19 Spendthrift. – The word "spendthrift" shall include anyone who is liable to be put under guardianship on account of excessive drinking, gaming, idleness, debauchery or vicious habits of any kind, or who is unable to manage his affairs with prudence.

Source. GS 1:18. GL 1:18. PS 2:19. PL 2:19. RL 7:19. RSA 21:19. 1967, 106:1, eff. July 10, 1967.

Section 21:20

    21:20 Issue. – The word "issue," as applied to the descent of estates, shall include all the lawful lineal descendants of the ancestor.

Source. RS 1:16. CS 1:16. GS 1:19. GL 1:19. PS 2:20. PL 2:20. RL 7:20.

Section 21:21

    21:21 Land; Real Estate. –
I. The words "land," "lands" or "real estate" shall include lands, tenements, and hereditaments, and all rights thereto and interests therein.
II. Manufactured housing as defined by RSA 674:31 shall be included in the term "real estate."

Source. RS 1:17. CS 1:17. GS 1:20. GL 1:20. PS 2:21. PL 2:21. RL 7:21. RSA 21:21. 1983, 230:1, eff. Aug. 17, 1983.

Section 21:22

    21:22 Will. – The word "will" shall include codicils.

Source. RS 1:18. CS 1:18. GS 1:21. GL 1:21. PS 2:22. PL 2:22. RL 7:22.

Section 21:23

    21:23 Written. – The words "written" or "in writing" may include printing or any other mode of representing words and letters, except where the written signature of a person is required. The signature of any corporate officer upon a corporate bond or other corporate obligation for the payment of money, or upon any interest coupons attached thereto, may be a facsimile, engraved or printed, where such bond or other obligation is authenticated or certified by a trustee.

Source. RS 1:19. CS 1:19. GS 1:22. GL 1:22. PS 2:23. PL 2:23. RL 7:23. RSA 21:23. 1963, 38:2, eff. June 4, 1963.

Section 21:24

    21:24 Oath. – The word "oath" shall include "affirmation" in all cases where by law an affirmation may be substituted for an oath; and, in like cases, the word "sworn" shall include the word "affirmed."

Source. RS 1:20. CS 1:20. GS 1:23. GL 1:23. PS 2:24. PL 2:24. RL 7:24.

Section 21:25

    21:25 Sworn; Public Officers. – The word "sworn," when applied to public officers required by the constitution to take oaths therein prescribed, shall refer to those oaths; when applied to other officers it shall mean sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of their offices before a justice of the peace, or other person authorized to administer official oaths in such cases.

Source. GS 1:24. GL 1:24. PS 2:25. PL 2:25. RL 7:25.

Section 21:25-a

    21:25-a Sufficient Sureties. – Whenever a person is required to recognize or give bond "with sufficient sureties," with "corporate sureties," or "sufficient bond" or "give security" in any court proceeding the deposit of cash in the required amount shall be deemed sufficient.

Source. 1959, 2:1, eff. April 7, 1959.

Section 21:26

    21:26 Highway. – The word "highway" or "road" shall include all bridges thereon.

Source. RS 1:21. CS 1:21. GS 1:25. GL 1:25. PS 2:26. PL 2:26. RL 7:26.

Section 21:27

    21:27 County. – The word "county" may mean the county in which the subject matter referred to is situate, belongs, or is cognizable.

Source. RS 1:22. CS 1:22. GS 1:26. GL 1:26. PS 2:27. PL 2:27. RL 7:27.

Section 21:27-a

    21:27-a County Attorney. – The words "county solicitor" or the word "solicitor" when referring to the county law official, shall mean the county attorney.

Source. 1959, 12:1, eff. May 10, 1959.

Section 21:28

    21:28 Selectmen; Town Clerk. –
I. The word "selectmen" may mean the selectmen of the town or ward, or the mayor and aldermen of the city, to which the subject matter to be acted upon belongs or in which it is situate; and the words "town clerk" may mean the clerk of the town, ward, or city to which the subject matter referred to belongs or in which it is situate.
II. The words "selectwoman," "selectperson," and "select board" may be used interchangeably with "selectman" in all instances, where appropriate.

Source. RS 1:23. CS 1:23. GS 1:27. GL 1:27. PS 2:28. PL 2:28. RL 7:28. 2008, 183:1, eff. Aug. 10, 2008.

Section 21:28-a

    21:28-a Clerk; Election Laws. – The word "clerk" as used in the election laws shall mean city clerk, town clerk or ward clerk unless specifically defined otherwise.

Source. 1975, 188:1. 1979, 436:10, eff. July 1, 1979.

Section 21:29

    21:29 School Board. – The words "school board" may mean any agent, committee, school board, or board of education entrusted with the hiring of teachers and the management of the prudential affairs of the district.

Source. PS 2:29. PL 2:29. RL 7:29.

Section 21:30

    21:30 Place. – The word "place" may mean city or town, unless some other meaning is implied by the context.

Source. GS 1:28. GL 1:28. PS 2:30. PL 2:30. RL 7:30.

Section 21:31

    21:31 Designation of Office Title. – When a court, officer, or board is named by official title, such designation shall apply to the court, officer, or board of the county, town, or district within and for which they are qualified to act in such capacity.

Source. RS 1:24. CS 1:24. GS 1:29. GL 1:29. PS 2:31. PL 2:31. RL 7:31.

Section 21:31-a

    21:31-a Governor and Council. – The phrase "governor and council" shall mean the governor with the advice and consent of the council.

Source. 1957, 3:1, eff. Feb. 6, 1957.

Section 21:32

    21:32 Publication of Notice; Publication for Statewide Circulation. –
I. By the words "publish," "published," "publishing," or "publication," when notice is required or permitted to be given by publication, shall be intended publication in a newspaper circulated in the vicinity, and the publication shall be for 3 weeks successively, and the last publication one week, at least, before the day or thing of which notice is given, unless otherwise specially provided.
II. The terms "publication of daily statewide circulation," "publication of general statewide circulation," or "publication in a newspaper of statewide circulation" regarding any requirement of any executive branch state agency, board, department, or official to provide notice under state law in respect to any real or personal property, act, event, hearing, or other occurrence, by advertisement or notice, shall mean publication of such notice at the offices of the agency, board, department, or official; prominently on a publicly accessible Internet site maintained by the agency, board, department, or official; and in any local or regional publication circulated where the real or personal property is located or where the act, event, hearing, or other occurrence is to take place, all in accordance with the time frame for notice prescribed by law.

Source. GS 1:30. GL 1:30. PS 2:32. PL 2:32. RL 7:32. 2011, 224:192, eff. July 1, 2011.

Section 21:32-a

    21:32-a Registered Mail. – The words "registered mail" when used in connection with the requirement for notice by mail shall mean either registered mail or certified mail.

Source. 1955, 242:1, eff. June 30, 1955.

Section 21:33

    21:33 Intoxicating Liquors. – By the words "spirit," "liquor," "spirituous liquor," "intoxicating liquor" shall be intended all distilled liquors, or rectified spirits; vinous, fermented, brewed, and malt liquors; and any beverage, by whatever name called, containing more than one percent of alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit; and any beverage any part of which is intoxicating.

Source. GS 1:31. GL 1:31. PS 2:33. 1903, 122:5. 1911, 193:1. 1917, 147:60. PL 2:33. RL 7:33.

Section 21:33-a

    21:33-a Terms of Appointment. –
Whenever a statute provides for appointment to a position in a state office, agency, commission, or board for a term of stated and limited duration by the governor and council or requires approval or confirmation of such an appointment by the governor and council, such statute shall be construed, unless it shall be exempted from the application of this section by language expressly referring to this section, to provide:
I. That the language in such statute creating a term of stated and limited duration shall create a term of the position, not of the appointee thereto, with the first such term, to a position to which no appointment has previously been made, to commence on the date of such appointment, confirmation or approval by the governor and council.
II. That a vacancy in such position shall be filled for the unexpired term.
III. (a) That any commissioner or agency head of a department, as defined in RSA 21-G:5, VI, who is an unclassified employee of the state, and appointed to such position, shall serve for the appropriate term or unexpired portion thereof. The commissioner or agency head may serve beyond the appointed term or unexpired portion thereof with the written authorization of the governor, provided that such service shall not extend beyond 6 months. This subparagraph shall also apply to the adjutant general and the attorney general, and to appointees to the liquor commission, the lottery commission, and the public utilities commission.
(b) That any other appointee to such position shall serve for the appropriate term or unexpired portion thereof and until a successor is appointed and qualified.
IV. That when an appointment is made and when a vacancy is filled, one of the factors which may be taken into consideration shall be the gender balance in the population which is served or regulated by the state office, agency, commission, or board, so that when the position is filled, it may result in a state office, agency, commission, or board which reflects that gender balance.

Source. 1973, 425:1. 1992, 56:1. 2007, 156:1. 2008, 25:1. 2011, 131:2, eff. Aug. 6, 2011. 2015, 276:118, eff. July 1, 2015.

Section 21:34

    21:34 Filling Vacancy. – The term "vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term", when used in connection with appointments to the state service by the governor and council shall be construed to mean that the successor shall be commissioned for a term equal in length to the unexpired balance of the term of his predecessor and where an appointee has held over beyond the expiration date of his commission, so far as the appointment of a successor is concerned, a vacancy shall be deemed to have been created.

Source. 1943, 39:1, eff. Mar. 3, 1943.

Section 21:34-a

    21:34-a Farm, Agriculture, Farming. –
I. The word "farm" means any land, buildings, or structures on or in which agriculture and farming operations or activities are carried out or conducted and shall include the residence or residences of owners, occupants, or employees located on such land. Structures shall include all farm outbuildings used in the care of livestock; in the production and storage of fruit, vegetables, or nursery stock; in the production of maple syrup; greenhouses for the production of annual or perennial plants; and any other structures used in the operations or activities named in paragraph II(a) or (b) of this section or any combination of such individual operations or activities.
II. The words "agriculture" and "farming" mean all operations or activities of a farm, including:
(a)(1) The cultivation, conservation, or tillage of the soil.
(2) The storage and use of or spreading of commercial fertilizer, lime, wood ash, sawdust, compost, animal manure, septage, and, where permitted by municipal and state rules and regulations, other lawful soil amendments.
(3) The use of or application of agricultural chemicals.
(4) The husbandry of livestock which shall include but not be limited to all beef or dairy cattle, steer, oxen, goats, sheep, swine, horses, mules or other equidae, as well as domesticated strains of buffalo, bison, llamas, alpacas, emus, ostriches, poultry, rabbits, yaks, elk (Cervus canadensis), fallow deer (Dama dama), red deer (Cervus elephus), or reindeer (Rangifer tarandus).
(5) The husbandry, boarding, training, or riding instruction of equines.
(6) The husbandry and harvesting aquaculture products including fresh or salt water finfish, shellfish, or other aquatic organisms grown for consumption or processing.
(7) The husbandry of poultry or game birds or production of eggs.
(8) The husbandry of bees or production of honey.
(9) The husbandry of domesticated strains of fur-bearing animals.
(10) The production of greenhouse crops.
(11) The production, cultivation, growing, or harvesting of any agricultural, floricultural, viticultural, forestry, or horticultural crops including, but not limited to, berries, herbs, honey, maple syrup, fruit, vegetables, tree fruit, grapes, flowers, seeds, grasses, nursery stock, sod, trees or tree products, Christmas trees grown as part of a commercial Christmas tree operation, trees grown for short rotation tree fiber, compost, or any plant that can be legally grown or harvested extensively for profit or subsistence.
(b) Any practice or activity on the farm incident to, ancillary to, or in conjunction with such farming operations, including, but not necessarily restricted to:
(1) Preparation for market, delivery to storage or to market, or to carriers for transportation to market of any products or materials from the farm.
(2) The transportation to the farm of supplies and materials.
(3) The transportation of farm workers.
(4) Forestry or lumbering operations.
(5) Marketing or selling at wholesale or retail, regardless of the manner or form of the transaction, any livestock or products derived principally from the production of the farm, including, but not limited to items listed in subparagraph (a), whether on-site or off-site, provided that marketing such products is not specifically prohibited by local regulations. For the purposes of this section marketing shall include agritourism, which means attracting visitors to a farm to attend events or activities that are accessory uses to the primary farm operation, including, but not limited to, being provided a meal, making overnight stays, enjoyment of the farm environment, education which shall be instruction or learning about the farm's operations, or active involvement in the activities of the farm.
(6) Irrigation of growing crops from private water supplies or public water supplies where not prohibited by state or local rule or regulation.
(7) The use of dogs for herding, working, or guarding livestock, as defined in RSA 21:34-a, II(a)(4).
(8) The production and storage of compost and the materials necessary to produce compost, whether such materials originate, in whole or in part, from operations of the farm.
III. A farm roadside stand shall remain an agricultural operation and not be considered commercial, provided that at least 35 percent of the product sales in dollar volume is attributable to products produced on the farm or farms of the stand owner.
IV. Management practices on the farm shall include technologies recommended from time to time by the university of New Hampshire cooperative extension, the New Hampshire department of agriculture, markets, and food, or appropriate agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture.
V. The term "farmers' market" means an event or series of events at which 2 or more vendors of agricultural commodities gather for purposes of offering for sale such commodities to the public. Commodities offered for sale must include, but are not limited to, products of agriculture, as defined in paragraphs I-IV. "Farmers' market" shall not include any event held upon any premises owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by any individual vendor selling therein.
VI. [Repealed.]

Source. 1961, 140:1. 1977, 95:1. 1979, 60:1. 1985, 6:1. 1997, 250:1. 1999, 191:2. 2005, 107:1. 2006, 11:5; 326:1. 2007, 157:1. 2008, 8:1, eff. July 4, 2008. 2014, 97:2, eff. Aug. 10, 2014. 2016, 267:1, 6, eff. June 16, 2016. 2019, 338:1-3, eff. Sept. 5, 2019.

Section 21:35

    21:35 Time, How Reckoned; Days Included and Excluded. –
I. Except where specifically stated to the contrary, when a period or limit of time is to be reckoned from a day or date, that day or date shall be excluded from and the day on which an act should occur shall be included in the computation of the period or limit of time.
II. If a statute specifies a date for filing documents or paying fees and the specified date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the document or fee shall be deemed timely filed if it is received by the next business day.

Source. RS 1:25. CS 1:25. GS 1:33. GL 1:32. PS 2:34. PL 2:34. RL 7:34. RSA 21:35. 1994, 348:1. 2008, 11:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.

Section 21:36

    21:36 Standard Time. – The standard time within the state, except as hereinafter provided, shall be based on the mean astronomical time of the seventy-fifth degree of longitude west from Greenwich, known and designated by the federal statute as "Eastern Standard Time." At 2 o'clock ante-meridian of the second Sunday in March of each year, the standard time in this state shall be advanced one hour, at 2 o'clock ante-meridian of the first Sunday in November of each year, the standard time in this state shall, by the retarding of one hour, be made to coincide with the astronomical time hereinbefore described as Eastern Standard Time, so that between the second Sunday in March at 2 o'clock ante-meridian and the first Sunday in November at 2 o'clock ante-meridian in each year the standard time in this state shall be one hour in advance of the United States Standard Time. In all laws, statutes, orders, decrees, rules, and regulations relating to the time of performance by any officer or department of this state, or of any county, city, town, or district thereof, or relating to the time in which any rights accrue or determine, or within which any act shall or shall not be performed by any person subject to the jurisdiction of this state, or of any county, city, town, or district thereof, and in all contracts or choses in action made or to be performed in this state, it shall be understood and intended that the time shall be as set forth in this section.

Source. 1921, 15:1. 1923, 105:1, 2. PL 42:76. 1937, 95:1. RL 51:95. 1954, 2:4. RSA 21:36. 1987, 10:1. 2011, 103:1, eff. July 30, 2011.

Section 21:37

    21:37 Effect of Repeal. – The repeal of an act shall in no case affect any act done, or any right accruing, accrued, acquired, or established, or any suit or proceeding had or commenced in any civil case, before the time when repeal shall take effect.

Source. RS 1:26. CS 1:26. GS 1:34. GL 1:33. PS 2:35. PL 2:35. RL 7:35.

Section 21:38

    21:38 Pending Prosecution, Etc. – No suit or prosecution, pending at the time of the repeal of any act, for any offense committed or for the recovery of a penalty or forfeiture incurred under the act so repealed, shall be affected by such repeal.

Source. RS 1:27. CS 1:27. GS 1:35. GL 1:34. PS 2:36. PL 2:36. RL 7:36.

Section 21:39

    21:39 No Revival. – The repeal of an act shall not revive any other act which has been repealed.

Source. RS 1:28. CS 1:28. GS 1:36. GL 1:35. PS 2:37. PL 2:37. RL 7:37.

Section 21:40

    21:40 Repealed by 1957, 12:2, eff. Feb. 15, 1957. –

Section 21:41

    21:41 Repealed by 1983, 278:3, eff. Aug. 1, 1983. –

Section 21:42

    21:42 Repealed by 1983, 278:3, eff. Aug. 1, 1983. –

Section 21:43

    21:43 Security Interests. – Statutes using the words "pledge", "mortgage", "conditional sale", "lien", "assignment" and like terms in referring to a security interest in personal property shall also apply to a corresponding type of security interest under RSA 382-A.

Source. 1959, 247:2(II) Commercial Code, eff. July 1, 1961.

Section 21:44

    21:44 Age of Majority; Adults. – Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the words "adult", "majority", "age of majority", "full age or lawful age", and all other terms of referring to those persons who are to be considered adults, shall mean those persons who have attained the age of 18 years.

Source. 1973, 72:72, eff. June 3, 1973.

Section 21:45

    21:45 "Bylaw" or "Ordinance". – The term "bylaw" when used in reference to legislative action taken by a city, town, county or village district shall have the same meaning as an ordinance and shall be subject to the same procedures for enactment.

Source. 1975, 300:1, eff. Aug. 6, 1975.

Section 21:46

    21:46 Mobile Homes. – The words "mobile home" shall mean manufactured housing as defined by RSA 674:31.

Source. 1983, 230:2, eff. Aug. 17, 1983.

Section 21:47

    21:47 Legislative Body. – When used to refer to a municipality, and in the absence of applicable chapter or subdivision definitions, the term "legislative body" shall mean a town meeting, school district meeting, village district meeting, city or town council, mayor and council, mayor and board of aldermen, or, when used to refer to unincorporated towns or unorganized places, or both, the county convention.

Source. 1989, 205:1, eff. July 21, 1989.

Section 21:48

    21:48 Governing Body. – When used to refer to a municipality, and in the absence of applicable chapter or subdivision definitions, the term "governing body" shall mean the board of selectmen in a town, the board of aldermen or council in a city or town with a town council, the school board in a school district or the village district commissioners in a village district, or when used to refer to unincorporated towns or unorganized places, or both, the county commissioners.

Source. 1989, 205:1, eff. July 21, 1989.

Section 21:49

    21:49 Sexual Orientation. – "Sexual orientation" means having or being perceived as having an orientation for heterosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexuality. This definition is intended to describe the status of persons and does not render lawful any conduct prohibited by the criminal laws of this state or impose any duty on a religious organization. This definition does not confer legislative approval of such status, but is intended to assure the basic rights afforded under New Hampshire law.

Source. 1997, 108:2, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.

Section 21:50

    21:50 Veteran; Armed Forces; Active Duty; Service-Connected Injury, Illness, or Disability. –
I. (a) "Veteran" means any person who:
(1) Served in the United States armed forces for more than 4 years and continues to serve; or
(2) Has been discharged or released from duty in the United States armed forces with:
(A) An honorable discharge; or
(B) An uncharacterized discharge based on a service-connected injury, illness, or disability.
(b) The following documents may be used to establish an individual's status as a veteran:
(1) DD Form 214 from any branch of the armed forces.
(2) DD Form 215 from any branch of the armed forces.
(3) DD Form 217 from any branch of the armed forces.
(4) DD Form 2 (Retired).
(5) WD AGO Form 53-55 from the United States Army.
(6) WD AGO Form 53-98 from the United States Army.
(7) WD AGO Form 755 from the United States Army.
(8) NAVPERS Form 553 from the United States Navy.
(9) NAVPERS Form 554 from the United States Navy.
(10) NAVPERS Form 660 from the United States Navy.
(11) NAVPERS Form 661 from the United States Navy.
(12) NAVMC Form 70-PD from the United States Marine Corps.
(13) NAVMC Form 78-PD from the United States Marine Corps.
(14) NAVCG Form 2510 from the United States Coast Guard.
(15) NGB Form 22 from the National Guard.
(16) GSA Form 6954 from the National Archives.
(17) NA Form 13038 from the National Archives.
(18) NA Form 13041 from the National Archives.
(19) Verification of Service letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(20) Summary of Military Service Record from the New Hampshire Korean War Bonus application.
(21) Notarized statement of service letter signed by the individual's commanding officer or administrative officer.
(22) Completed DD FORM 4/2, October 2007 from the National Guard.
(23) Completed DD FORM 1300, February 2011.
(24) Other documents approved by the director, division of veterans services.
II. "Armed forces" means the United States Army, Army Reserve, Navy, Naval Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Space Force, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard. "Armed forces" also includes other components, but is limited to those components and active duty periods described in 38 C.F.R. 3.7.
III. "Active duty" means full-time duty as an enlisted member, or as a commissioned or warrant officer, in any branch of the armed forces.
IV. "Service-connected injury or illness or disability" means an injury, illness or disability incurred or aggravated while in the line of duty in the armed forces of the United States.

Source. 2004, 89:1. 2010, 119:7, eff. July 31, 2010. 2013, 254:1, eff. July 24, 2013. 2019, 273:7, eff. Sept. 17, 2019. 2023, 21:2, eff. July 3, 2023.

Section 21:51

    21:51 Petition. – The word "petition" when used in connection with the equity jurisdiction of the superior court, and referring to a document filed with the court, shall mean complaint, and "petitioner" shall mean plaintiff.

Source. 2014, 204:1, eff. July 11, 2014.

Section 21:52

    21:52 Under Oath. – The words "under oath" when used in connection with a document to be filed with the court or a state agency, which does not require a notary acknowledgment or notarization under New Hampshire law, shall be satisfied by electronic signature "under the penalty of perjury" if the document is filed with the court or state agency electronically, and if the document is accompanied by a statement under the electronic signature stating "the penalty for perjury may include a fine or imprisonment or both."

Source. 2015, 22:1, eff. May 5, 2015. 2017, 57:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2018.

Section 21:53

    21:53 Verified Mail. – The term "verified mail" means any method of mailing that is offered by the United States Postal Service or any other carrier, and which provides evidence of mailing.

Source. 2019, 242:2, eff. Oct. 10, 2019.

Section 21:54

    21:54 Gender Identity. – "Gender identity" means a person's gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth. Gender-related identity may be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity, or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held as part of a person's core identity provided, however, that gender-related identity shall not be asserted for any improper purpose.

Source. 2019, 332:1, eff. Oct. 15, 2019.