Rep. Matt Wilhelm

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a commission to examine how New Hampshire funds special education and to explore ways to reduce the reliance on local property taxes. The commission will be composed of representatives from the state legislature, school administrators, educators, and business officials, who will meet to analyze current costs and study alternative revenue sources. Their work includes reviewing student referral rates, estimating the expenses for various support services like therapy and tutoring, and comparing funding methods used by other states. The group is required to submit an initial report by January 31, 2025, and a final report by January 31, 2026, which will include specific cost estimates and draft legislation for any recommended funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the time required for state employees to earn permanent retirement benefits from 10 years to 5 years. It directly affects members of the state retirement system, including teachers, police officers, and firefighters, by allowing them to qualify for disability retirement or deferred benefits after just five years of service. The legislation also adjusts the age requirements for certain split-benefit retirement options for those with combined service in different employee groups. By lowering the vesting threshold, the law aims to provide earlier financial security for workers who leave their jobs due to injury or other reasons before completing a decade of employment.

Maddy summaryHB 1087 proposes creating a temporary commission to study how public schools in New Hampshire teach information literacy and media literacy. The commission would be made up of legislators, educators, and representatives from youth media organizations to review current curriculum standards and identify barriers to effective instruction. Its main tasks include evaluating available resources for teachers, comparing the state's efforts with those of other states, and gathering input from students, parents, and experts. The group is required to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2024, though the bill was not enacted during the 2024 legislative session.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow members of the New Hampshire General Court to join the state employee assistance program run by the Department of Health and Human Services. The costs for this participation would be covered by funds from the legislative branch rather than the individual legislators. The legislation specifies that the program's per-person fees are to be paid directly to the department by the legislative branch. Although the bill was introduced, it was ultimately laid on the table and did not become law during the 2024 session.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new article to the New Hampshire constitution to explicitly guarantee a fundamental right to abortion. It would protect this right for all individuals up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, allowing restrictions only if there is a compelling state interest addressed by the least restrictive means. After 24 weeks, the bill permits abortion if an attending physician judges it necessary based on applicable standards of care. The legislation also outlines the process for submitting this constitutional amendment to voters for a decision at the November 2024 general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to study the creation of a civilian corps in New Hampshire focused on clean energy, community resilience, and conservation efforts. The committee will analyze the feasibility and costs of programs designed to deploy clean energy, rebuild coastal wetlands, manage forests, and protect public lands while seeking funding that does not rely on taxpayer money. Additionally, the group will explore partnerships with educational institutions and employers to provide workforce training and career pathways for participants. The committee is required to submit its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2024, without enacting any new laws itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules and funding for the Youth Development Center settlement fund, which provides compensation to former residents who experienced abuse while in state care. It updates legal definitions to clearly specify what counts as sexual, physical, or other abuse and introduces a new category for "egregious sexual abuse" that may qualify for additional compensation. The legislation establishes an independent, neutral attorney as the administrator to oversee the claims process, while ensuring the fund remains separate and is continually funded until 2032.