Rep. Dick Thackston

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's real estate laws to clarify definitions and create a new inactive licensure status for brokers and salespersons. It allows licensed individuals to place their licenses on inactive status while keeping them valid, provided they do not engage in brokerage activities or make referrals for compensation during that time. Under the new rules, inactive licensees must still renew their licenses and complete continuing education every two years but are exempt from maintaining a place of business or a surety bond. The law also specifies that a license automatically returns to active status once an inactive licensee affiliates with a broker of record. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for how lobbyists in New Hampshire must report their financial activities to the Secretary of State. It requires lobbyists to file electronic statements by the end of January, May, July, and September that detail all fees received and expenses paid since the last report. The law also mandates that these filings be submitted in a digital format capable of linking income, spending, and political contributions for easier tracking. These new reporting requirements will officially begin taking effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires county commissions and delegations to allow public comment at all non-emergency meetings, ensuring that every person who signs up or participates remotely is granted at least three minutes to speak. The law mandates that notice for these meetings must include specific instructions on how to submit written comments and requires the distribution of sign-in cards at least 15 minutes before the session begins. Additionally, the bill updates existing rules to ensure that meeting minutes are made available for public inspection within five business days and clarifies that meetings must be open to the public for recording and observation. These changes apply specifically to county-level government bodies and take effect on September 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the lead poisoning prevention and treatment act of 2024, requires health insurance providers in the state to cover the costs of blood lead testing for residents. The law applies to both individual and group health insurance plans and mandates that these tests be covered without higher co-payments, deductibles, or coinsurance compared to other similar medical benefits. Additionally, the coverage includes any necessary follow-up testing required when initial results show elevated lead levels or are inconclusive. The legislation takes effect on September 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1270 updates the laws governing protective custody for individuals in New Hampshire who are intoxicated or incapacitated due to alcohol or drug use. The bill clarifies that peace officers may take these individuals into custody to ensure public safety and then assist them with consent to return home, contact a responsible adult for release, or hold them in a correctional facility for up to 24 hours until they are no longer intoxicated. It specifically addresses the handling of minors by requiring immediate notification of parents or guardians and mandates that they be held separately from adults in any facility. Additionally, the legislation establishes that taking someone into protective custody is not considered an arrest, though officers retain the authority to obtain identification and conduct safety-related searches.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire school districts to create written policies for managing their library collections and handling requests to remove materials. The new rules mandate that these policies cannot ban or remove books based on specific personal characteristics such as race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, nor can they restrict materials based on the viewpoint expressed within them. Under the proposed guidelines, parents and guardians would have a formal process to request a review of library items they find unsuitable, but the material must remain accessible to students while the review is pending. The legislation defines "library materials" broadly to include books, digital resources, and other educational or entertainment items available in school libraries. These policies must be in place and effective by January 1, 2025.