Rep. Linda Harriott-Gathright

Maddy summaryHB 1039 creates a new sentencing option for individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes who are primary caregivers to children, elderly people, or persons with disabilities. Under this bill, judges could instead of prison order these defendants to complete community-based programs such as parenting classes, job training, and counseling while remaining with their dependents. The law allows courts to modify or shorten these alternative sentences based on the person's progress, but reserves the right to impose jail time if the individual fails to comply with the required conditions. This measure applies only to specific nonviolent offenses and takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 507 would have extended the deadline for filing a petition for a new trial from three years to an unspecified longer period for most civil cases. The bill included a specific exception for criminal felony and class A misdemeanor cases, allowing new trial motions based on newly discovered evidence or new forensic testing regardless of the time limit. Although the legislation passed both legislative chambers, it was vetoed by the Governor and subsequently sustained by the legislature, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles associated with a person's ethnicity, such as braids, locs, and cornrows. It allows individuals who face such discrimination in employment to file a private lawsuit directly in court, bypassing the state human rights commission. The law applies to most employers but excludes the Department of Corrections, and it also clarifies that public schools cannot exclude students or deny them benefits based on these hairstyles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire to submit hate crime reports to the state police at least twice a year. The reports must detail the number of offenses and arrests, and the state police will publish these statistics on their website every 45 days. A hate crime is defined as any offense where an officer suspects the crime was motivated by bias against characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The law takes effect on September 1, 2024, and applies to all police departments operating within the state.

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.