Rep. Linda Harriott-Gathright

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 1458 requires businesses offering massage, reflexology, structural integration, or Asian bodywork therapy in commercial locations to obtain a facility license from the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Owners must affirm they have no convictions for prostitution or human trafficking-related offenses and cannot allow residents to live in the facility. The license must be posted visibly, and applications must be processed within 14 days unless denied for cause. This bill does not apply to services provided in non-commercial settings, such as a practitioner’s home or a client’s residence.

Maddy summarySB 668 directs New Hampshire's Historical Resources Council to create a highway marker acknowledging the abuse suffered by former residents of the New Hampshire Youth Development Center (YDC). The marker will be developed with input from former residents and consider public reports of sexual and physical abuse, aiming to recognize the trauma experienced. The Council must finalize the marker's content in collaboration with the Department of Transportation, with placement required after the YDC property is sold or by June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects former YDC residents by formally acknowledging their experiences and informs the public through a historical marker along a highway.

Maddy summaryHB 1559 increases the percentage of New Hampshire's video lottery revenue allocated to problem gambling services from 0.25% to 1%. Specifically, it requires video lottery terminal (VLT) licensees to distribute 1% of their gross revenue to the state's addiction, treatment, and prevention fund. This fund directly supports services for individuals struggling with gambling addiction, including counseling and prevention programs. The change becomes effective 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1061 establishes a commission to study alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers, such as parents of young children. The commission, made up of lawmakers, state agency representatives, and community experts (including formerly incarcerated individuals), will examine current sentencing impacts on families and identify community-based options like home confinement or treatment programs. It must submit a report with recommendations by November 1, 2026, but the bill itself does not change current laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding New Hampshire House resolution expresses support for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and urges U.S. action. It calls on the U.S. government to increase diplomatic efforts, humanitarian aid, and coordination with international partners like the UN and African Union to address ongoing conflict, displacement, and humanitarian needs in the DRC. The resolution specifically requests regular congressional reporting on progress toward stability. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new funding or legal obligations but reinforces New Hampshire's stance on international engagement.

Maddy summaryHB 1390 designates the apple cider doughnut as New Hampshire's official state doughnut. This ceremonial bill adds a new section to state law (RSA 3:33) recognizing the apple cider doughnut as a symbol of the state's culinary identity. It directly affects New Hampshire's official state symbols but has no regulatory, financial, or practical impact on residents or businesses. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and does not alter any existing laws or create new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1142 requires state, county, and local law enforcement officers participating in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program to identify themselves by name, badge number, and agency while operating under that agreement, and to remain unmasked during such operations. The bill directly affects officers in New Hampshire who assist with federal immigration enforcement through the 287(g) program. It establishes procedural requirements for transparency and accountability during these operations but does not change immigration enforcement policies or practices. The bill amends RSA 106-P and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1507 requires all New Hampshire public schools, school administrative units, and charter schools to provide a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes of recess daily for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The bill defines recess as unstructured outdoor play (weather permitting) without electronic devices (except for students with IEPs or 504 plans), and specifies that recess time counts as separate instructional time - not deducted from physical education or lunch periods. Schools may adjust recess time only for weather, special events, or emergencies, but cannot withhold it as punishment. This policy applies to all affected schools starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local law enforcement agencies to report hate-based crimes to the state Department of Justice, which will then publish detailed statistics on its website and submit an annual analysis to state leaders. The reports must include specific data points such as the location, date, number of victims and suspects, suspect race, crime category, and the specific bias motivation, while explicitly excluding the names of victims or perpetrators. Additionally, local police departments are mandated to post this same information on their own websites on a monthly basis. The law defines "hate-based crime" using the existing state definition and takes effect on July 1, 2024.