Rep. Leah Cushman

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes updating the requirements for school nurses in New Hampshire by adding a mandate that they must be certified by the state board of education in addition to holding a current nursing license. The legislation would allow school superintendents to nominate and school boards to appoint these nurses to manage school health programs while ensuring they have the necessary facilities and equipment. If passed, the changes would take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law. However, the bill was recently referred for an interim study, meaning it has not yet been approved for future legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1010 aims to expand access to midwifery care by preventing state rules from denying or transferring patients based on specific pregnancy factors. The bill directly affects midwives and pregnant individuals by prohibiting restrictions related to carrying multiple fetuses, fetal malpresentation, or having fewer than three prior cesarean sections. Additionally, it stops regulations from refusing midwifery services simply because a patient lives far from a hospital. If passed, the law would take effect 60 days after enactment and would require further study before becoming permanent.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protection of Women's Sports Act, establishes rules for interscholastic and intercollegiate athletic teams in New Hampshire by categorizing them based on the biological sex listed on athletes' birth certificates. It mandates that teams designated for females be open only to students identified as female at birth, while teams for males may include students of any sex, and requires separate locker room facilities for each group. The legislation also creates a legal pathway for athletes to sue schools or organizations if they experience harm or retaliation related to these sex-based designations, though it explicitly excludes K-5 schools and intramural or club sports from its requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1706, known as the Circumcision Transparency Act, would require health care providers in New Hampshire to obtain written informed consent from parents before performing a non-therapeutic circumcision on a child under 18. The bill mandates that providers use a specific consent form detailing the procedure's risks, lack of proven medical benefits, and available alternatives, while also prohibiting solicitation or coercion of parents. Additionally, the law would require two parental signatures for the procedure, provide an educational guide for parents who choose not to circumcise, and mandate that consent forms be retained for 25 years. Although the bill includes provisions to protect religious ceremonies and allow for tissue donation opt-ins, it was ultimately not recommended for future legislation by the state committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization from having any jurisdiction within New Hampshire. It prevents state and local government entities from enforcing, collaborating on, or using guidance from these organizations to mandate masks, vaccines, or medical testing. The law also states that any rules issued by these organizations have no legal force or effect in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1683, titled the Children's Body Autonomy Act, would have restricted coverage of circumcision under New Hampshire's Medicaid plan to cases deemed medically necessary. The bill defines specific medical conditions for newborns and minors that would qualify for coverage, such as recurrent urinary tract infections, certain congenital anomalies, and specific infections or obstructions. Additionally, it requires health care providers to obtain pre-authorization before performing any covered circumcision. Although the bill included definitions for health care providers and children, it did not become law as it died on the table when the legislative session ended in October 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework allowing terminally ill patients to access investigational drugs, biological products, or medical devices that have not yet received FDA approval. To qualify, a patient must have a life-limiting condition with no known curative options and must obtain written informed consent from their physician, which includes a waiver of legal liability for any adverse outcomes. The law also protects doctors from license revocation or other penalties if they prescribe these unapproved treatments in good faith. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, providing a structured pathway for patients to try experimental therapies while defining the specific medical and legal requirements for participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the licensing rules for home day care providers in New Hampshire by increasing the number of additional children they can care for without a license from three to four. The change applies to individuals operating care in their own private homes who look after their biological or adopted children along with a limited number of other children for part of the day. Under the new provision, providers can care for up to four extra children without needing to go through the full licensing process, though they retain the option to choose full licensing if they prefer. The amendment also clarifies that these exemptions apply only when care is provided for less than 24 hours.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts from ordering specific family reunification therapies, camps, or programs as part of a parenting plan. It directly affects parents involved in custody cases and the counselors or organizations providing these services. The law bans programs that require no-contact orders, involve overnight stays out of state, transfer custody, or use threats, coercion, or isolation to separate children from their families. Additionally, the bill mandates that any counseling selected by the court must be recommended by the parents and covered by their health insurance. These restrictions take effect on July 1, 2024.