Rep. Lori Korzen

Maddy summaryHB 1828 requires New Hampshire's Department of Education to create an auditing process for teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities. The audit ensures these programs teach research-backed literacy instruction (including phonics, fluency, and vocabulary) aligned with the science of reading. The department must develop metrics to evaluate how effectively programs teach these methods and publish the results online. This directly affects all post-secondary institutions offering teacher training in New Hampshire.

Maddy summaryHB 1447 requires New Hampshire public facilities (including restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters) and private entities to separate access based on biological sex as defined by birth certificate. The bill defines "biological sex" as male or female based on sex listed on an individual's birth certificate issued at or near birth, and specifies that "woman," "girl," "man," and "boy" refer to these categories for facility access. It explicitly states that such sex-based separation policies do not constitute discrimination under state law. The law applies to all state political subdivisions and private businesses operating in New Hampshire.

Maddy summaryHB 1571 requires New Hampshire's Department of Education to review statewide academic standards for English/language arts, math, and science every 10 years, beginning in June 2026. The review must align standards with rigor, clarity, and relevance, incorporating input from students, parents, and educators. School districts must select new curriculum materials from a department-approved list based on the revised standards. The bill appropriates $1 for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to fund this process.

Maddy summarySB 664 requires hospitals in economically distressed communities that accept New Hampshire Medicaid funds to freeze all C-suite executive compensation (including salary, bonuses, and benefits) for 18 months after reducing staff by more than 10 employees in a single department within six months. It applies specifically to hospitals in areas designated as "distressed place-based economies" by state or federal programs. Hospitals must report layoffs to the Charitable Trust Unit within 10 days and certify no compensation increases during the freeze period, with enforcement including fines up to $10,000 per violation. The law aims to prevent executive pay growth during workforce cuts that harm community health access and economic stability.

Maddy summaryHB 1658 requires app stores operating in New Hampshire to verify users' age categories (e.g., child, teenager) and obtain parental consent for minors under 18. It mandates that app stores create "minor accounts" (for users under 18) linked to "parent accounts" (for adults), and disclose key information like an app's age rating, content description, data collection practices, and data protection methods to parents before consent. The bill also requires re-obtaining parental consent for significant app changes, such as new in-app purchases or altered data collection. This law directly affects app store providers (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play), app developers, and parents of minors in New Hampshire.

Maddy summaryCACR 24 proposes adding a constitutional right for parents and legal guardians to direct their children's education in New Hampshire. If approved by voters in 2026, it would insert a new Article 2-c into the state constitution stating this right cannot be violated. The amendment requires a 2/3 vote in favor at the 2026 general election to take effect. It directly affects parents/guardians by establishing a constitutional basis for their authority over educational decisions, without specifying curriculum or school policies. This is a procedural constitutional amendment requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.

Maddy summaryHB 1591 requires the New Hampshire Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to release court-ordered funds held in escrow within 30 days of a final, non-appealable court order. This directly affects individuals or entities entitled to such funds, such as plaintiffs in lawsuits or settlement recipients. Key provisions include imposing interest on delayed disbursements, allowing recovery of attorney fees for noncompliance, and mandating annual public reports listing funds held beyond the 30-day deadline. The bill also applies retroactively to delays occurring in the past five years, with claimants having 18 months from the bill’s effective date to seek remedies.

Maddy summaryHB 1281 establishes certification standards for "facility comfort dogs" used by public agencies like hospitals, schools, and emergency services to provide emotional support. It requires these dogs to earn an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certificate by 18 months and complete quarterly training, while banning prong/electronic collars during deployment. Handlers must obtain specific certifications including Mental Health First Aid and Emergency First Aid for Dogs, and agencies must maintain detailed training records. The bill also sets care standards, such as prohibiting raw diets, requiring spaying/neutering, and mandating retirement policies for the dogs. These requirements directly affect public safety agencies, their handlers, and the comfort dogs they deploy.

Maddy summaryHB 1473 prevents New Hampshire towns and cities from adopting zoning rules that restrict land used for agricultural fairs, specifically targeting properties owned by corporations dedicated to promoting agricultural skills. It directly affects local governments (municipalities and counties) and fairground operators by blocking zoning restrictions on these sites. The bill adds language clarifying that agricultural fairs, along with agritourism and farming, are traditional land uses that shouldn’t be unreasonably limited by zoning. It requires local authorities to recognize these activities as fundamental to New Hampshire’s economy and environment, rather than imposing new restrictions. The law takes effect upon passage with minimal fiscal impact, as noted in the bill’s analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 1222 prohibits blocking public crosswalks by banning parking vehicles that encroach on crosswalks, placing objects or structures within marked crosswalks, or delaying pedestrians. It directly affects drivers, businesses, and individuals who may park or place items in crosswalks, ensuring clear pathways for pedestrians. The bill establishes fines of up to $250 for first offenses and $500 for repeat violations, with exemptions for emergency vehicles and authorized closures by local authorities. This law takes effect 60 days after passage, aiming to improve pedestrian safety at intersections.