Rep. Shane Sirois

Maddy summaryHB 1564 removes the phrase "gender identity" from multiple New Hampshire statutes that currently include it as a protected characteristic in discrimination laws. This affects provisions related to equal employment (RSA 21-I:42), classified employment protections (RSA 21-I:52), cable TV service access (RSA 53-C:3-g), hate crime reporting (RSA 106-B:14-c), police training (RSA 106-L:2), racial profiling definitions (RSA 106-O:1), and mental health services (RSA 135-C:13). The bill deletes all instances of "gender identity" except in RSA 332-M:2, III-a. It does not create new policies but eliminates existing language from these statutes. The direct effect is removing gender identity as a specified protected category in these legal provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1136 simplifies rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), like backyard cottages or in-law suites, making them easier to build on single-family properties. It allows municipalities to permit ADUs automatically (without special permits) or through standard processes, permits multiple ADUs per home, and sets a 750-square-foot minimum size. The bill clarifies that towns without ADU rules must allow one ADU by default (beyond basic building permits), expands access standards to all ADUs, and prohibits ADUs in townhouses, manufactured housing, or rented land. Homeowners, local governments, and potential renters are directly affected by these changes to zoning and construction rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to establish legislative oversight of New Hampshire's judicial branch. It would create a commission (primarily composed of state legislators) with authority to investigate complaints against judges, hold hearings, recommend disciplinary actions (including censure, suspension, or removal), and publish annual performance reports. The measure directly affects judges and the judicial branch by shifting oversight from the current system (where the judiciary self-regulates, with impeachment as the sole remedy) to legislative authority. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, it would amend the state constitution to grant the general court this new power. The amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote in the election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1639 creates a new process for county-level "petition-initiated special grand juries" that can be activated when 500 qualified voters in a county sign a petition. These grand juries, housed under county sheriffs' offices, would investigate public institutions, detention facilities, financial entities, election/tax administration, and corporate misconduct. Counties would cover all costs for convening these juries and conducting investigations, including audits of public entities receiving taxpayer funds. The bill requires counties to support these juries' operations while granting them authority to inspect facilities, review records, and issue public reports on findings. This directly affects county governments, public agencies, and facilities receiving public funding by establishing a new voter-driven oversight mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 1606 prohibits Chinese nationals (non-U.S. citizens with ties to the People's Republic of China government, such as PRC state-owned enterprise employees or CCP members) from owning or controlling real property in New Hampshire. It provides a 90-day grace period for current owners to sell properties, after which undivested properties face state seizure. Violations trigger civil penalties of 25% of the property’s value, criminal misdemeanor charges for facilitators, and automatic forfeiture of the property to the state. The bill directly affects PRC nationals and entities facilitating their property acquisitions, with enforcement handled by state courts and the Department of Justice.

Maddy summaryHB 1737 would reinstate the death penalty for specific crimes against children under 13 years old in New Hampshire. It defines "capital offenses against a child" as first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or aggravated sexual assault involving a minor under 13, mandating a death sentence for anyone convicted of these crimes who was at least 18 at the time of the offense. The bill requires courts to impose the death penalty without considering mitigating factors and limits appeals to only evidentiary or constitutional errors related to guilt, with the Supreme Court required to resolve all appeals within one year of conviction. This law would apply only to offenses committed after its effective date, not retroactively.

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 1762 revises New Hampshire's child support calculation by updating the definition of "adjusted gross income" to include specific deductions like child care costs, medical expenses, retirement contributions, and state income tax. It also changes how parenting time affects support amounts by capping the parenting time factor at 1.000 and establishing a minimum child support obligation for low-income parents. These changes directly impact parents in child support cases by altering the formula used to determine financial responsibility. The bill applies to all child support orders under New Hampshire law.

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 summarySB 211 requires New Hampshire public schools to establish eligibility rules for female-designated sports programs, directly affecting student athletes in those programs. The bill mandates that schools cannot exclude students solely based on transgender status but sets specific criteria: students must identify as female in daily life, not transfer teams mid-season for competitive advantage, and meet other criteria tied to the sport's educational purpose. It also requires all schools to adopt privacy policies by September 2025, allowing any student needing increased privacy (regardless of reason) to access single-stall restrooms or private changing areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all public school sports programs in the state.