| Update Applicable to: | Effective Date |
| All Employers with 50 or More Employees at the Same Location | January 1, 2026 |
What happened?
On July 24, 2025, New Hampshire House Bill 225 was signed into law, amending RSA 110-C to provide job-protected leave for employees whose spouses are involuntarily deployed for military service.
Overview:
Employers in New Hampshire with 50 or more employees at the same location may not be discharged, refuse to hire, or take adverse action against an employee because their spouse has been involuntarily mobilized for military duty.
- This law aligns with federal protections and aims to support military families by ensuring job stability during periods of deployment.
Key provisions include:
- Job Protection: Employees are entitled to unpaid, job-protected leave for the duration of their spouse’s deployment, up to 5 years, mirroring federal reemployment rights under USERRA.
- Reemployment Rights: Upon return, employees must be reinstated to their previous position or a comparable one, unless reemployment is impossible or unreasonable.
- Notice Requirements: Employees must notify their employer within 30 days of receiving official notice of their spouse’s deployment. Employers must provide written acknowledgment of the notice.
- Complaint Process: Employees may file complaints with the New Hampshire Department of Labor within 180 days of an alleged violation. Employers found in violation may be liable for reinstatement, back pay, and lost benefits.
Source References
- New Hampshire HB 225 – relative to the employment of military spouses in the event of involuntary deployment of service member
- New Hampshire HB 225 – Bill Details
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