HB1188 Relative to noncompete agreements for low-wage employees.
Relative to noncompete agreements for low-wage employees.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Harmful
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Noncompetes trap low-wage workers in jobs by preventing them from seeking better pay. Failing to ban them keeps wages artificially low for the most vulnerable workers.
Your Community
Low-wage noncompetes reduce labor mobility, suppress wages, and trap workers in bad jobs. This hurts local economies when workers cannot freely seek better employment.
Your Freedom
Noncompetes for low-wage workers are a serious restriction on economic freedom, preventing people from using their labor to improve their lives.
Status
Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0612h
Sponsor
Alice Wade (D)
The Short Version
Would restrict noncompete agreements for low-wage workers, who are often forced to sign contracts preventing them from working for competitors even in minimum-wage jobs. Only a minority report supports passage, meaning the majority rejected protecting vulnerable workers from this exploitative practice.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Employers who want to restrict low-wage workers from leaving (majority rejected the bill)
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Low-wage workers trapped by noncompete agreements
- ▼ Fast food workers, retail employees, and other low-paid employees
Bill statuses as of May 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.