NH HB1281

Defines "facility comfort dogs" as agency-owned dogs that provide emotional support and crisis response in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, disaster areas, and emergency response agencies, distinct from service dogs or emotional support animals

Requires facility comfort dogs to obtain American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certification by 18 months of age and participate in at least 4 hours of structured training every 3 months

Mandates handlers complete multiple certifications including AKC Canine Good Citizen, Advanced Canine Good Citizen, Urban Canine Good Citizen, Mental Health First Aid, and Emergency First Aid for Dogs

Establishes care requirements including liability insurance, prohibition on raw diets, mandatory spaying/neutering by age 2, vehicle safety standards with remote temperature sensors, and policies for dog retirement or ownership transfer

Prohibits use of prong collars, electronic collars, or head halters during deployment or AKC testing, and requires unique identification patches on dogs and handlers along with a central tracking system