Rep. Jodi Newell

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the first Friday in June as a state day of remembrance for children in New Hampshire killed by gun violence. It directs the state to observe a moment of silence, fly flags at half-staff, and create a permanent memorial in the state house displaying the names of affected children. The resolution also urges Congress to establish a national day of remembrance with a similar memorial in the U.S. Capitol. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws but formalizes commemorative practices for grieving families and communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1015 requires sellers to disclose whether Japanese knotweed is present on a property during real estate transactions. This affects sellers of residential and commercial properties in New Hampshire by adding a specific disclosure requirement to existing property transfer forms. The bill mandates sellers complete a written statement confirming the presence or absence of Japanese knotweed at the time of sale, alongside current disclosures about water systems and septic systems. The policy change aims to provide buyers with clear information about this invasive plant, which can cause structural damage and reduce property value.

Maddy summaryHB 1532 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to establish rules defining the maximum temperature for vape heating coils and mandating safety features to prevent overheating ("dry hits"). This bill directly affects vape product manufacturers, who must comply with these future safety standards. The key mechanism is the creation of regulatory rules by the Department, not the immediate imposition of specific temperature limits. The bill focuses on preventing overheating incidents through mandatory safety features in vape devices. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryHB 1538 prohibits vape product marketers from using deceptive tactics to target minors. Specifically, it bans imitating food, school supplies, or clothing (e.g., candy packaging or pencil designs), using minor-appealing characters (like cartoon figures or video game icons), or embedding interactive video game features in vape products. The law directly affects vape manufacturers and retailers who market products through these methods. Violations will be handled as civil infractions by the Liquor Commission, with penalties under existing rules. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1684 establishes a Free Speech Advisory Commission to address complaints about conduct that suppresses free speech. The commission will review complaints regarding coercive actions that chill speech, refer potential legal violations to the Department of Justice, and provide educational resources to public entities on lawful speech protections. It will consist of nine members: two legislative appointees (one from the House majority, one from the Senate minority) and seven experts appointed by the Governor, including a first amendment specialist, law enforcement officer, civil liberties expert, and representatives from higher education and local government. The commission must annually report its findings and activities to the Governor and legislative leaders, but it has no enforcement power. This bill directly affects the public (who can file complaints), the Department of Justice (which receives referrals), and public entities (which may receive educational outreach).

Maddy summaryHB 1209 requires school districts, bus operators, and drivers to place bus stops so students never need to cross traffic lanes when boarding or exiting. It specifically prohibits drivers from allowing children to cross any lane of traffic for these activities. The bill amends state law to mandate this safety measure, directly affecting school transportation operations statewide. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1018 prohibits the use of four specific rat poisons (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, and difethialone) in New Hampshire, primarily affecting pest control businesses, property owners, and general commercial users. The ban takes effect January 1, 2027, with key exceptions allowing these products for public health activities (like protecting drinking water or controlling documented infestations), medical waste facilities, and certain agricultural settings including food storage warehouses, slaughterhouses, and breweries. The law does not ban all rodenticides, only these four second-generation anticoagulant types. It directly changes pesticide regulations under RSA 430:41.

Maddy summaryHB 1084 requires individuals subject to a domestic violence protective order in New Hampshire to immediately surrender all firearms, ammunition, and deadly weapons to law enforcement officers. The bill directly affects people ordered to relinquish weapons under protective orders (RSA 173-B:4 or 173-B:5), making surrender mandatory rather than discretionary. Key provisions include replacing "may" with "shall" for weapon relinquishment, prohibiting refusal (with immediate detention for non-compliance), and requiring courts to issue search warrants if weapons remain unturned over. This bill strengthens enforcement of existing protections by ensuring weapons are removed from individuals deemed a threat under domestic violence orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to use a standardized lethality assessment tool (LAP) during responses to suspected domestic violence incidents, violations of protective orders, and stalking cases involving domestic violence. It mandates that officers administer the LAP screening with victims and submit the results to the court at the defendant's arraignment. Currently, participation in the LAP program is voluntary, with only about 45% of departments reporting data; this bill makes statewide use mandatory. The policy directly affects police departments, victims in these cases, and court proceedings by ensuring consistent assessment of risk during critical early stages of investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a committee called the "better education on life-saving action committee" to study how to improve public awareness of New Hampshire's good Samaritan law. The law protects people from legal liability when they call for medical help during a drug overdose. The committee will examine current outreach methods, identify effective ways to reach high-risk communities, and assess whether state funding could help spread the information. It must report its findings and recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2026.