Rep. Sheila Seidel

Maddy summaryHB 476 restricts abortions after 15 weeks gestation in New Hampshire, making "late-term elective abortion" illegal unless a medical emergency (defined as conditions endangering the mother's life or causing serious bodily harm) or a fetal abnormality incompatible with life exists. Healthcare providers must perform an ultrasound to determine gestational age before 15 weeks and report medical emergency justifications to health authorities. Violations carry criminal penalties (class B felony with fines up to $100,000) and civil liability for damages. The law affects healthcare providers performing abortions and pregnant individuals seeking later-term procedures, with exceptions for medical emergencies or fatal fetal conditions. It takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes strict standards for sexual education in New Hampshire K-12 schools, mandating that instruction be delivered exclusively by licensed nurses and requiring written parental consent before any class begins. The curriculum must cover medically accurate topics such as anatomy, hygiene, and disease prevention while explicitly prohibiting discussions on gender identity, sexual orientation, and lifestyle choices. Additionally, the law requires schools to provide parents with curriculum materials and a 14-day notice period for any proposed lessons, along with an opt-in mechanism for families who do not wish their children to participate.

Maddy summaryHB 1691 updates the legal definition of an adequate public education by establishing specific subject areas that schools must cover to meet state standards. The bill requires instruction in core subjects like English, math, and science, while also mandating attention to arts, world languages, health, technology, and personal finance. It further directs teachers to integrate essential skills such as digital literacy and logic into their curriculum. Although the bill was referred for an interim study in 2024, the committee ultimately decided not to recommend it for future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution declares that New Hampshire's government operates under an express trust defined by the state constitution, arguing that only powers explicitly written in the document are granted to officials. The bill seeks to restrict absentee voting to only those physically absent from their town or suffering from a physical disability, while also mandating that absentee ballots be marked in the presence of an authorized official to ensure witness standards match those for in-person voting. Additionally, the measure aims to eliminate electronic voting machines and requires that ballot counting be supervised by selectmen to guarantee human eyewitnesses are present during the process. Although the House passed this resolution, an interim study committee reviewed it and ultimately did not recommend it for future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for the Department of Environmental Services to transfer ownership of state-owned dams to local towns or groups of landowners before the dams are removed. Under the new rules, the department must offer the dams to affected municipalities first, providing them with detailed information about the dam's condition and estimated repair costs, and only proceed with removal if no one accepts the transfer within a set timeframe. To support these transfers and future maintenance, the legislation creates a loan program funded by a state dam maintenance fund, offering 20-year loans at a 5 percent interest rate to towns or associations that take ownership. The bill also mandates that any loans taken must be repaid using local budget appropriations or property taxes from areas bordering the impoundment, with a cap of 50 percent of those taxes. Additionally, the process includes an exemption for dams deemed to be in imminent danger of failure, allowing the state to remove them immediately without offering a transfer.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows organizations and individuals to classify people based on biological sex in specific situations without it being considered unlawful discrimination. It explicitly permits this classification in three areas: shared restrooms and locker rooms, athletic competitions where physical strength or speed is a factor, and certain correctional or involuntary commitment facilities. By adding these exceptions to the state's Law Against Discrimination, the legislation clarifies that separating individuals by biological sex in these contexts does not violate protections against discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates driveway construction rules to limit new driveways to a maximum width of 50 feet and restricts the number of driveways allowed per property unless the land frontage is over 500 feet. It also mandates that local planning boards issue driveway permits within 60 days for residential projects and grants them authority to regulate stone walls and fences near public roads. Separately, the legislation expands eligibility for the state's child care scholarship program by including children with delays in social or emotional development, even without a formal medical diagnosis. To support these changes, the bill appropriates $375,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services for rulemaking and program administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes stricter rules for placing children in state care into residential facilities, prioritizing placement with relatives or in foster homes as the first options. It mandates that residential care be used only as a last resort for children aged 12 and older, unless there is a specific medical or therapeutic need, and requires all such facilities to meet new state certification standards before receiving funding. To enforce these standards, the Department of Health and Human Services will create a team to inspect and certify programs, conduct regular unannounced visits, and report quarterly on their oversight activities and spending. Additionally, the bill requires special approval from the state director before placing any child in a facility outside of New England.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and private schools in New Hampshire to designate interscholastic sports teams as male, female, or coed based on the biological sex listed on a student's birth certificate. It explicitly prohibits female-designated teams from allowing male students to participate and mandates that schools enforce these rules without fear of legal complaints or investigations from government entities or athletic associations. The legislation also creates a legal pathway for students or schools to sue for damages if they believe these eligibility rules have been violated or if someone faces retaliation for reporting such violations.

Maddy summaryThis New Hampshire bill prohibits doctors from performing genital gender reassignment surgery on anyone under the age of 18. It allows such procedures only for adults and explicitly permits necessary medical treatments like correcting birth defects, treating cancer, or performing male circumcision on minors. The law defines specific surgical types that are banned for those under the age of majority while ensuring exceptions remain for reconstructive surgeries required for health or safety. Violations of this rule are considered unprofessional conduct that could lead to disciplinary action against the physician, and families may seek legal damages if a prohibited surgery is performed.