Rep. Nancy Murphy

Maddy summaryHB 1415 establishes strict liability for owners or operators of facilities where per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been released into groundwater or surface water at concentrations of 100 parts per trillion or higher. The bill defines specific chemical terms and designates any site where PFAS are used, stored, or disposed of as a PFAS facility. Under this law, responsible parties would be required to follow federal regulations for the closure, removal, or decommissioning of tanks, pipes, equipment, and building surfaces associated with PFAS management. Although the bill was vetoed by the governor, the legislature overrode the veto to make it effective law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Hampshire schools to provide at least one free meal daily to every student whose family income is at or below 350 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. To support this requirement, the state would use funds from the education trust fund to pay for the meals, ensuring that school districts do not bear the full cost. The legislation also directs the state board of education to set minimum nutritional standards and clarify the income thresholds used to determine eligibility. Although the bill was introduced to expand access to free school lunches, it ultimately did not become law as the session ended without final passage.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits the sale of new consumer products that contain intentionally added chemicals known as PFAS, which are commonly used for stain and water resistance. The ban covers a wide range of household items, including mattresses, carpets, cosmetics, food packaging, and furniture, while excluding products made with high percentages of recycled content or those regulated by federal law. Manufacturers and distributors must stop producing or importing these items, and the state can also pursue civil lawsuits against companies responsible for PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems. Additionally, the legislation provides a framework for settling legal claims related to the impacts of these chemicals on water supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies which school districts are responsible for funding special education services for children with disabilities placed in state facilities for detained or adjudicated youth or county correctional facilities. It establishes that the responsible district is determined by the child's legal custody status and their most recent residence before entering the facility, while also capping the liability at the state average elementary cost per pupil. Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of Education to remove certain student records from the state special education information system and to develop rules for alternative dispute resolution procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state trust fund specifically to hold money from legal settlements related to soil and water contamination. When the attorney general receives settlement funds for environmental damage, they must deposit the money into this separate account rather than mixing it with other state funds. The state treasurer will manage and invest the money, and the legislature will decide how to spend it on cleanup efforts, testing, health monitoring, or further investigation for the specific contamination involved. If funds remain unused after four years or if the contamination is already fixed, the money will be moved to other dedicated environmental funds. The law does not apply to criminal fines, penalties, or settlements that already have specific funding rules under existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis law allows parents or guardians to appoint a temporary agent to handle the care, custody, or property of a minor or incapacitated person for up to 60 days. To make this appointment valid, the parent or guardian must sign a document in front of two witnesses, and the chosen agent must sign to accept the role. The bill includes specific rules for situations involving shared parenting plans, requiring that the other parent consent unless there are safety concerns like domestic violence or child abuse investigations. Additionally, the appointing parent can cancel or change the agent's authority at any time, and a court can also limit or alter what the agent is allowed to do.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates zoning laws in New Hampshire to make it easier for families to operate home-based child care businesses. It allows family and group family child care to be used as an accessory to any residential property without needing a special site plan review, provided they meet state health and safety standards. Local governments must permit these facilities by right or through a conditional use permit, and providers can start operating immediately if their state permit is pending while waiting for local approval. The changes take effect 60 days after the law is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "development of regional impact" in New Hampshire to explicitly include solid waste landfills. Under the new rules, any proposed landfill must notify all communities located within its watershed or within a 10-mile radius of the site. Local land use boards are required to share meeting minutes and project plans with regional planning commissions and affected municipalities within five business days of making a decision. The law applies to new landfill projects but excludes existing facilities that were fully permitted before December 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state of New Hampshire to distribute funds from the estate of Tekeste Berhanu, a resident of Nashua, to three specific nonprofit organizations. If the estate has no heirs and the money is turned over to the state, one-third of the proceeds will go to Ascentria Care Alliance, one-third to the International Institute of New England, and one-third to the Roca Kidz Club. These funds are intended to support the resettlement of refugee children through the work of these agencies. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and was signed into law by the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's real estate disclosure laws to require sellers to inform buyers about the potential presence of PFAS, a group of chemical compounds, in addition to radon, arsenic, and lead. The law mandates that before a contract for the sale of a property with a building is signed, the seller must provide a specific notice explaining that PFAS have been detected in wells across the state, particularly in southern New Hampshire, and advising buyers to test their water. The buyer is required to sign an acknowledgment of receiving this notice, which includes information on how accredited laboratories can measure PFAS levels and the availability of water treatment systems. This change directly affects real estate transactions in the state by ensuring prospective homeowners are aware of potential water contamination risks before completing a purchase.