Rep. Katy Peternel

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of State to provide copies of the state constitution to the general public as needed. It authorizes the Secretary to charge a fee for bulk orders requested by government branches and members of the public to cover the cost of producing these copies. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring that the state constitution is more readily available to citizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows existing school administrative units to merge their administrative offices to reduce costs, provided the combined unit has only one superintendent. To support these mergers, the state will offer a grant of $200 per student annually for two years, with funding coming from the education trust fund and requiring the merger to be completed by July 1, 2030. The planning committee will evaluate merger proposals using the same process used for reorganizations, and the grant amount will be calculated based on the number of students residing in the district as of October 1st. This law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to all school districts served by the newly merged administrative unit.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows liquor store owners to fill their own-brand refillable beer bottles with any beer they choose, regardless of the bottle's original label. Previously, stores were required to match the beer inside the bottle with the brand printed on the container. The change gives retailers the freedom to decide which beer to pour into these reusable bottles without being restricted by the bottle's branding. This policy applies specifically to businesses that hold a license to sell beer in refillable containers.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the licensing rules for home day care providers in New Hampshire by increasing the number of additional children they can care for without a license from three to four. The change applies to individuals operating care in their own private homes who look after their biological or adopted children along with a limited number of other children for part of the day. Under the new provision, providers can care for up to four extra children without needing to go through the full licensing process, though they retain the option to choose full licensing if they prefer. The amendment also clarifies that these exemptions apply only when care is provided for less than 24 hours.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most charitable organizations to file an annual financial statement with their local municipality by June 1 to maintain their property tax exemption. The statement must detail the organization's financial condition and include any other information needed to prove its eligibility for the tax break. While religious and educational groups already have specific exemptions, this rule applies to other charities and allows for late filings only if the delay was due to an accident, mistake, or misfortune, provided the local tax rate has not yet been approved. The law takes effect on April 1, 2025, and will change how these organizations must document their status to qualify for reduced property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to examine how New Hampshire laws handle consent and confidentiality for adolescents and young adults seeking healthcare. The committee, composed of five legislators appointed by Senate and House leaders, will review existing rules regarding parental consent, assess current privacy protections for minors, and identify any gaps in medical care coverage. After gathering testimony from relevant experts and organizations, the group must submit its findings and any proposed legal changes to state officials by November 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows high school students to serve as unpaid members of their local school board, directly involving students in district governance. It requires the student government to organize elections where the student body votes for up to three representatives and establishes a process for students to submit proposals to the board. Serving a one-year term, these student members must attend at least one board meeting per month but cannot run or vote if they are graduating during their term. The law takes effect 60 days after passage, beginning on August 13, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 updates the requirements for submitting excavating and dredging permit applications to include both a paper version and a digital copy in PDF or an approved format. Local town or city clerks must receive these copies and distribute the digital version to local governing bodies, planning boards, and conservation commissions while keeping a paper record. The bill also allows state agencies to file their applications directly with the department, streamlining the process for government projects. These changes take effect 60 days after the law is passed.