Rep. Janet Lucas

Maddy summaryHB 1761 establishes a publicly administered Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI) program to expand New Hampshire's existing paid family and medical leave system. The program will provide wage replacement benefits for eligible employees and self-employed individuals who meet income requirements during a defined base period, covering leave for qualifying family or medical reasons. It creates clear definitions for key terms like "covered individual," "application year," and "average weekly wage" to determine eligibility and benefit amounts. The Department of Insurance will administer the program and enforce protections against interference with leave rights.

Maddy summaryHB 1114 requires New Hampshire legislative committees to preserve all written public comments received on bills - including those submitted via in-person hearings, written submissions, and the state's remote sign-in system - and to create reports explaining how these comments influenced their recommendations. Committees must detail in these reports why specific arguments from public comments were or were not considered when forming their bill recommendations. The reports, overseen by committee leadership, must be submitted to the legislative clerk and retained in the bill’s permanent record, with exclusions allowed for duplicate, out-of-state, lobbyist-submitted, or erroneous comments. This bill increases transparency in how public input shapes legislative decisions without altering policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 1656 requires all health insurance plans in New Hampshire to cover pelvic-floor physical therapy (PFPT) as a standard benefit for specific conditions, including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, postpartum recovery, and pelvic pain. It mandates coverage for up to 12 weeks of supervised therapy, pre-surgery preparation (prehab), and post-surgery rehabilitation without prior authorization for initial evaluations. Insurers must report on this coverage data annually, and the insurance department will publish an annual report on insurer compliance. This directly affects residents with pelvic floor dysfunction, ensuring access to evidence-based treatments currently often excluded from coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1262 requires home heating oil, kerosene, and propane dealers to provide clear, written contracts that disclose all terms in plain language - including total costs, delivery details, and contact information for the state consumer protection hotline. The bill specifically regulates prepaid contracts by restricting advertising to May 1-October 31, mandating refunds for undelivered fuel within 30 days, and requiring dealers to secure contracts through methods like futures contracts, surety bonds, or liquid inventory. These rules directly affect dealers who sell prepaid home heating fuel and consumers who enter such agreements. The bill excludes budget plans with monthly payments from these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1630 prohibits businesses from selling nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") and specific inhalants like butyl nitrites for recreational use, creating a class A misdemeanor for violations. Key exceptions include medical use (e.g., by hospitals or dentists), food-related applications (like whipped cream cans), and industrial/automotive purposes. The law explicitly exempts sales of flavored whipped cream and substances sold for legitimate medical, food, or industrial purposes, but presumes recreational intent if products are marketed with food-like flavors. It takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state revenue or expenditure impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1171 creates a 90-day grace period for renters who miss rent payments due to an unexpected interruption in their monthly Social Security benefits. The bill directly affects residential tenants in New Hampshire whose Social Security payments are halted unexpectedly, providing time to secure alternative housing or funding without facing immediate eviction. It amends state law to require landlords to grant this 90-day extension when rent is missed specifically because of disrupted Social Security payments. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits elected officials from publicly sharing a constituent's personal information online with the intent to harass, threaten, or incite violence. It defines "personal information" broadly to include addresses, phone numbers, social media profiles, photos, and online identifiers. Violators face misdemeanor penalties of up to $500 or one year in jail, and constituents can request removal of their information by providing evidence of an immediate safety threat. The law applies to state and local elected officials and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHCR 12 is a New Hampshire legislative resolution urging the state's federal congressional delegation to support Medicare for All. It requests federal lawmakers pursue legislation establishing universal health coverage through Medicare, including comprehensive benefits like dental, vision, and prescription drugs without deductibles, and transitioning current Medicaid recipients into the program. The resolution outlines six key provisions for such a system, emphasizing preventive care, provider choice, cost controls, and quality oversight. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change federal law but expresses the legislature's position on health care policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1782 establishes a rural maternal health care delivery pilot program to provide prenatal and postnatal care in New Hampshire areas with limited access to specialized pregnancy services. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop this program, which would use mid-level practitioners (like certified nurse midwives) and collaborate with nearby hospitals, while also creating a Maternity Care Improvement Commission to study statewide maternal health strategies. It includes a Medicaid provider audit to ensure proper reimbursement for midwives and a loan reimbursement program for certified midwives who commit to working 32+ hours weekly in rural areas for at least two years. The pilot program and commission must report findings to state leaders by July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects rural pregnant people, midwives, and healthcare providers in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1794 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to study how recent Medicaid changes affect residents' healthcare access. The department must prepare a report detailing impacts on covered individuals, healthcare providers (including hospitals and community clinics), timely care access, waiver program participants, and state budget effects. The report must cover specific areas like the number of affected residents and potential facility closures, with an interim version due November 1, 2026, and a final report by July 1, 2027. This bill directly affects New Hampshire residents relying on Medicaid and healthcare organizations providing services to them. It mandates a factual assessment of existing changes without altering Medicaid policy itself.