Rep. Jodi Newell

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 establishes a legislative committee to study how restorative justice models could be used as an alternative accountability system for juveniles under eighteen who commit misdemeanor offenses or hate crimes. The committee, composed of four state legislators, will gather evidence-based best practices and collaborate with state agencies and advocates to develop specific recommendations for new laws. By November 1, 2024, the group must submit a report detailing its findings and proposed legislation to state officials and the governor. The bill does not change current laws or create new programs immediately but instead sets up a process to evaluate and potentially implement restorative justice practices in the future.

Maddy summaryHB 1350 increases the legal amount of usable therapeutic cannabis that patients and their designated caregivers can possess from two ounces to four ounces. The bill allows qualifying patients and caregivers to hold up to four ounces of usable cannabis and any amount of unusable cannabis without facing arrest, prosecution, or penalties. It also updates the rules for alternative treatment centers, permitting patients to obtain up to four ounces of usable cannabis every ten days. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Hampshire law to presume that patients registered in the state's therapeutic cannabis program have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to these patients unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense for the business. Additionally, the bill establishes a legal presumption that an employee using cannabis while on duty is a hardship for the employer, which could affect termination decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1231 allows qualifying patients and their designated caregivers to grow cannabis at home for medical purposes, provided the plants are kept in a locked, enclosed area that is not visible to the public. The bill sets specific limits on cultivation, permitting patients to possess up to three mature plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings, while allowing caregivers to assist with up to five patients or cultivate for one patient if they live far from treatment centers. To participate, individuals must register with the state, obtain an identification card, and report their cultivation location, which must be situated at their residence and approved by property owners. The legislation also clarifies that caregivers can receive up to $500 annually for expenses related to assisting patients and grants legal protections against arrest for those following the rules while transporting or testing cannabis.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking by preventing landlords from evicting them solely based on their victim status. It allows victims to stay in their homes if they provide written proof of a protective order, a report to law enforcement, a statement from a professional, or a court-approved self-certification form. The law also permits victims to request new locks at their own expense to exclude abusers and clarifies that landlords cannot be held liable for damages caused by these lock changes. While the bill offers these protections, it explicitly states that landlords can still evict tenants for unrelated reasons such as nonpayment of rent. Additionally, the bill requires landlords to keep all information regarding a tenant's victim status strictly confidential.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the penalties for individuals who illegally sell cannabis to people who are not authorized medical patients or caregivers. It specifically removes a previous criminal penalty for such sales and instead mandates the revocation of the seller's registry identification card. The law applies to both qualifying patients and designated caregivers who violate these rules. These changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.