Rep. Diane Kelley

Maddy summaryHB 1740 updates New Hampshire's domestic violence protection laws to strengthen victim safety and law enforcement response. It requires police to immediately investigate all abuse reports, create written reports within 24 hours, and mandate arrests when probable cause exists - regardless of whether the abuse was witnessed. The bill also establishes a new domestic violence law enforcement training fund and clarifies that civil protective orders must follow criminal proceedings, not replace them. These changes directly affect victims of domestic violence, law enforcement agencies, and courts handling such cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1717 reorganizes New Hampshire's family court system by establishing the "judicial branch family division" as a statutory court (not constitutional), replacing "marital masters" with administrative law judges. It requires all family matters for a single family to be handled by one administrative law judge in a geographically accessible court, mandates full judicial review of all recommendations, and ensures constitutional protections for children's rights in all proceedings. The bill directly affects families involved in divorce, custody, child support, and other family law cases handled in the state's family courts. Key mechanisms include standardized training for administrative law judges, mandatory consent acknowledgments before hearings, and explicit requirements for judicial review to prevent infringement of fundamental rights.

Maddy summaryHB 1501 limits judicial immunity in New Hampshire, allowing criminal prosecution or civil lawsuits against judges and other judicial staff for misconduct. It specifically removes immunity when actions exceed judicial duties, involve criminal conduct, intentional harm, or malicious abuse of authority. The bill affects judges, clerks, and administrative staff within the judicial branch who commit such acts. It does not change immunity for routine judicial decisions but creates new pathways for accountability in clear cases of overreach. The law takes effect upon passage and may require additional legal resources for the Judicial Branch.

Maddy summaryHB 1012 repeals existing state laws that defined and permitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) in New Hampshire. The bill removes specific legal provisions (RSA 674:71, 674:72, and 674:73) that allowed these secondary housing units on single-family properties. This repeal would directly affect property owners who previously could build ADUs or DADUs as independent living spaces on their lots. The bill does not create new rules but eliminates the legal framework that enabled these unit types, taking effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 30) formally reaffirms that local municipalities - not the state - hold primary responsibility for planning, zoning, and related regulations, citing New Hampshire’s RSA 672:1 as the legal basis. It specifically references the state’s "Declaration of Purpose" law, which states that zoning and land-use rules have historically been and should remain a municipal function. The resolution does not change any laws but symbolically opposes state efforts to override local zoning authority under the guise of "property rights." It directly affects municipal governments, which retain control over land-use decisions for their communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1338 amends New Hampshire law to exclude abortion providers from being classified as "charitable organizations" for the purpose of operating games of chance, such as raffles or bingo. This change directly affects abortion providers, preventing them from qualifying for charitable gaming licenses under current regulations. The bill adds a specific exclusion to the legal definition of "charitable organization" in RSA 287-D:1, stating such organizations shall not include abortion providers. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 198 designates the third week of September as "New Hampshire Service Dog Week" to recognize service dogs and their handlers. This commemorative resolution directly affects service dog users, handlers, and related organizations across the state by establishing an annual awareness period. The bill does not create new legal requirements or funding but formally acknowledges the role of service dogs in supporting individuals with disabilities. It has been referred to committee and is currently under review.