Friday, October 25, 2013

Bed Bugs - Two events scheduled in November 2013

EVENT 1:
Statewide NH BED BUG LAW takes effect January 1, 2014 
ARE YOU READY? 
Join our team of experts at the Bed Bug Law Seminar on Wednesday, November 13th
from 6 - 8 pm, hosted by JP Pest Services.
The Bed Bug Action Committee, NH Legal Assistance and JP Pest Services will explain
the new bed bug law and educate on bed bug biology and behavior to help strategize a
proactive approach to dealing with bed bugs and complying with the new law.
Detailed information about the legal obligations for all stakeholders will be presented
by Elliott Berry, Managing Attorney from the Manchester office of NH Legal Assistance
and author of HB 482.
A panel discussion with The Bed Bug Action Committee, NH Legal Assistance and JP
Pest Services, Entomologist, Dr. Gary will follow.

When and Where 
Wednesday, November 13th from 6 - 8 pm
Doors open at 5:30 pm for registration and networking
JP Pest Services Training Facility
34 Hammond Rd, Milford NH 03055

This is a free event but space is limited. Please reserve your seat
by calling (603) 732–4393 or email events@jppestservices.com

The Panel 
Dr. Gary Nielsen, Entomologist and Director of Training,
JP Pest Services
Kelly McDonough, Outreach and Education, JP Pest Services
Elliot Berry, Managing Attorney, NH Legal Assistance
Rick Castillo, Bed Bug Action Committee and The Way Home
Debbie Day, Metropolis Property Management
Kristen Krenaulis, Manchester Mental Health
Nelson Ortega, Code Enforcement Department of N

http://www.nhbedbugs.org/resources/Bed%20bug%20Seminar%20Flyer.pdf

EVENT 2

New Hampshire Bites Back II - Statewide Bed Bug Conference

This full-day conference promises to be well worth your time as stakeholders from across the state come together to focus on strategies and solutions that are working today against bed bugs. Join us on November 25th at the Radisson Hotel at the Center of New Hampshire in downtown Manchester.
The 2013 Bed Bug Conference is funded under a grant  awarded to the Granite State Organizing Project by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture.
Conference Attendance and Deli Buffet Lunch are FREE! 
Conference is 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
           Registration and Exhibitors open at 7:45 AM during which time a free Continental Breakfast is served
$5 Reduced Rate All Day Parking

 
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013                         View the Conference Agenda

DON'T BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD! The New Hampshire Bed Bug Law, RSA 540, an act that addresses landlord, tenant and municipality responsibility for bed bug infestations goes into effect on January 1, 2014. Discover what the New Bed Bug Law means for you and your organization.

PARTICIPATE IN STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY SESSIONS: These breakout strategy sessions will provide various organizations, businesses and individuals opportunity to share best practice solutions.
 
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER: The NH Bed Bug Action Committee will share the success stories that result from applying best practice solutions. Join us in creating a statewide network for information sharing and strategic collaboration for the fight against bed bugs.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:   Allison Taisey, Research Entomologist, M.A., B.C.E.
The NH Bed Bug Action Committee is pleased that Allison Taisey, Research Entomologist, M.A., B.C.E. will be joining us. Allison Taisey’s unique experience and educational background has made her an invaluable resource on projects funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for her work with Cornell University’s Northeastern IPM Center. Taisey also works with more than 30 housing authorities across the country on projects that bridge the gap between research and real-world implementation.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
  • Property Owners, Property Managers, Property Maintenance, Housing Authorities, Emergency Shelters, Transitional Housing, Permanent Housing
  • Health Officers, Housing Code Enforcement, State and Local Government and Elected Officials, Police Departments, Fire Departments, Emergency Services
  • Hospitals, Community Mental Health Centers, Rehabilitation Centers, Mental Health Outreach, Hospice, LNAs, VNAs, Family Care, Pediatric Care, Adult Care, DCYF, Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care Providers, School Nurses, Healthy Home Visitors
  • Schools, Libraries, Business Offices, Medical Practices, Faith Based Organizations, Furniture Rental Centers, Thrift Stores, Gyms, Hotels, Inns, Summer Camps, Campgrounds 
November 25th, 2013 7:45 AM   through   4:00 PM
The Radisson Hotel
The Center of New Hampshire
700 Elm Street
ManchesterNH 03101

Thursday, October 17, 2013

October 20th-26th is Lead Awareness Week!

Dear Landlord, 

October 20th-26th is Lead Awareness Week! 
Did you know that lead poisoning impacts 1 in 3 children?? With over 640 children poisoned in NH last year alone, this is an epidemic that is totally preventable.  
 
Please help us get the word out! 
  
Lead Awareness Week- Kickoff Event
 
On behalf of the Dept of Health and Human Services we invite you to attend our kickoff event for Lead Awareness Week! 
 
We will be testing toys for lead paint and testing kids for elevated blood lead levels on the State House lawn in Concord from 10am to 1pm on Monday Oct 21st.  There will be a reading of the governor's proclamation regarding lead awareness week at 10:30 am. And we will be joined by Tamara Rubin who is the producer and director of a new documentary film called "MisLEAD", who will be available for interview.   
MisLEAD: America's Secret Epidemic 
 
As part of Lead Awareness Week there will be several Special Engagement Preview Screenings 
of  MisLEAD: America's Secret Epidemic an intellectually and emotionally compelling expose of 
a hidden epidemic that impacts one in three American children today. Tamara Rubin, an Oregon mother whose sons were poisoned, travels the country meeting with experts and other parents of poisoned children- looking for answers. Click Here to watch the film trailer! 
 
Screenings:
  • Concord Red River Theatre -Oct. 23, 10:30am & 6pm
    • www.redrivertheatres.org 
    • (603) 224-4600
    • Special showing of Mother Bear and Little Moccasins at 10:30
    • Refreshments before and a panel of experts to answer your questions after the movie
 3 Continuing Education Units and Professional Development Hours Available!

AHEC and DHHS CEUs available for RNs, MDs, CHESs and Child Care Workers.

$10.00 Pre-register at eccp14@gmail.com
FDA Study: Hundreds of Lipsticks Contaminated with Lead                       

"A new analysis of lead in lipstick conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reveals that the problem of lead in lipstick is worse and more widespread than previously reported. The new study found lead in 400 lipsticks tested by the agency, at widely varying levels of up to 7.19 parts per million (ppm) - more than twice the levels reported in a previous FDA study.

The agency has studied only the levels of lead in lipstick, and has conducted no health studies or safety assessments.

In January, an advisory committee to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new report asserting that there is no safe level of lead for children, and stressing the importance of preventing lead exposure for children and pregnant women..." (Read More) 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Legislative Update, 2013 - Summary of newly passed laws affecting Landlords

This Legislative Update is provided by Nick Norman, RPOA Director of Legislative Affairs
=======
Howdee everyone,


Its been a while since I have contacted you because after the spring busy legislative season and new bills work their way through House & Senate then there is practically no activity for the summer.

These are the new changes to law that affect real estate.  Many will be effective 1/1/14 others may be sooner or immediate.

New Laws Affecting Real Estate
The two major bills affecting real estate are HB413 Abandonment bill & HB482 Bedbug bill.  There are several information sessions regarding these bills, particularly the Bedbug bill, that have been or are being offered around the state.  I recommend you go to one.  A link to the final versions of each bill are included here.  

We regard both of these bills as a win for landlords.
If you would like me to speak to your organization to summarize these bills and educate members on the new standards of practice for landlords, give me a call and we can arrange something.

Suggestions for new Legislation?
New legislation for next year are being drafted now.  If there is something you would like us to address please contact Nick at nicknorman@yahoo.com

HB482, The Bedbug Bill
Property Owner Position: For
General Status: SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
House Status: PASSED / ADOPTED
Senate Status: PASSED / ADOPTED
Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2013/HB0482.html

HB413, Abandonment relative to property abandoned by tenants.
Property Owner Position: For
General Status: SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
House Status: CONCURRED
Senate Status: PASSED / ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT

Summary: This bill clarifies conditions that can be used to determine the tenant has abandoned the property. Making abandonment of the premise a defense to an RSA 540-A action against the landlord.

Link to Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2013/HB0413.html
Analysis Stated in Bill: This bill makes relinquishment or abandonment of the premises a defense for landlords in an action under RSA 540-A.

Talking Points:
Under current law, there is no definition of abandonment. As a result, every time a tenant moves out, a landlord is always subject to a 540-A action (fining landlord) unless the tenant gives notice in writing that the tenant is fully moved out and returns possession to the landlord or the landlord goes through the eviction procedure and has the sheriff serve the writ of possession.
 
The first part of the bill makes it clear that if all tenants of an apartment sign a document that they relinquish possession that such action is a defense for a 540-A action.
 
The second part lists various factors that show a tenant has abandoned the leased premises. If a landlord can prove two of these factors, that will be a defense to a 540-A action.  These factors are subject to negotiation as we go through the legislative process.
 
The bill is advantageous to Landlords, Tenant and the Courts.  With a clarified standard for abandonment, Landlords will not have to spend the money or time on filing eviction actions, and the tenant will not have an unnecessary eviction on his or her record. This will also reduce the number of cases filed in the badly overburdened courts.