Rep. Leah Cushman

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the responsibilities of the Interbranch Criminal and Juvenile Justice Council, a group that includes members from both the legislative and executive branches. The primary change involves adding new duties to the council's existing mandate, though the specific tasks are not detailed in the provided text. By reorganizing the bill's sections, the legislation formally updates the council's role to ensure it can better coordinate on criminal and juvenile justice issues. Once signed into law, the council will operate under these revised guidelines to fulfill its updated functions.

Maddy summaryHB 1616 requires schools to obtain written parental consent for each new medical or dental service provided to a student under the Medicaid to Schools program, defining a new service by a change in the diagnostic billing code. The bill also mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services submit annual reports detailing the program's costs and the number of students served. Additionally, the legislation establishes a pilot recruitment and retention program for the department to address staffing vacancies, allowing for specific incentives that are exempt from certain state gift and collective bargaining rules. This pilot program must conclude with a report on its effectiveness by December 31, 2024, to determine if it will be included in future state budgets.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the ability of incarcerated individuals, parolees, and those convicted of violent felonies or crimes against children to change their legal names. To obtain a name change, these individuals must now prove to a probate court that the change is necessary, and they must notify relevant government agencies and the original prosecuting authority. The law also requires the prosecutor to attempt to inform the victim or the victim's family, allowing them to share their views with the judge before a decision is made. These rules apply specifically to serious offenses such as murder, assault, kidnapping, and sexual crimes, while the changes take effect on July 30, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new standards for informed consent and outlines specific patient rights within the state's medical practice laws. It requires physicians to clearly explain diagnoses, treatment options, risks, and benefits while documenting these discussions, and it grants patients the right to refuse care, request second opinions, and maintain privacy. Additionally, the legislation ensures that doctors will not abruptly stop medically necessary treatment without providing adequate notice and assistance for finding new care. These changes apply to all patient-physician interactions and take effect 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill would declare all regulations from the federal Environmental Protection Agency invalid within New Hampshire and prohibit local governments from enforcing or collaborating with the agency. It asserts that the EPA lacks constitutional authority and mandates that the state's Department of Environmental Services handle all environmental protection rules instead. The legislation directly affects counties, cities, towns, and other local entities by removing their ability to comply with federal Clean Water Act requirements. Although the bill proposes a committee to study municipal compliance, the final text instead voids federal mandates and shifts full environmental regulatory responsibility to the state.