Rep. Jonah Wheeler

Maddy summaryHB 1438 requires licensed mental health caseworkers in New Hampshire to report instances of animal abuse they learn about from clients, including cases of cruelty, neglect, or unsafe living conditions for animals. This applies specifically to professionals working under New Hampshire’s mental health licensing framework, who typically handle confidential client information. The bill mandates that reports be made to local law enforcement or the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NH SPCA), and explicitly protects caseworkers from legal liability when reporting in good faith. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1119 creates a new state licensing requirement for "associate funeral directors" in New Hampshire. To work in this role, individuals must obtain a specific license, pass board-approved exams, and secure certification through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. This bill directly affects people seeking to work as associate funeral directors, establishing a formal pathway distinct from existing full funeral director licensing. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would grant New Hampshire adults aged 21 and older the right to possess a modest amount of cannabis for personal consumption. If approved by voters in November 2026, it would amend the state constitution to explicitly protect this right, replacing current laws that lack such a provision. The amendment specifically covers personal possession and consumption, not cultivation, sales, or public use. It requires a two-thirds majority vote in the referendum to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1486 prohibits New Hampshire insurance companies from increasing premiums or imposing other penalties based on the driving record of household members (like spouses) not covered under a motor vehicle insurance policy. It specifically prevents insurers from penalizing policyholders due to a spouse's DWI conviction, license suspension, or other driving violations unless that person is named on the policy. The bill makes any policy terms violating this provision void and unenforceable, while allowing insurers to consider the driving record of named insureds or listed drivers. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1691 (New Hampshire) limits eligibility for property tax assessments based on current agricultural or conservation use. It restricts qualifying land to 40 acres per lot in semi-rural zones, 10 acres in developed zones with conservation land requirements, and prohibits clear-cutting or invasive species. Municipalities must cap current use approvals at 75% of rural zones and 5% of high-density zones, while requiring sustainable practices like invasive species management and limiting chemical use. Violations trigger retroactive tax payments using "best and highest use" rates from the last compliance date. This affects landowners currently enrolled in New Hampshire's current use tax program.

Maddy summaryHB 1779 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to consider a child's cultural background during foster care placements and develop resources to support their cultural heritage. The bill mandates foster parents to complete cultural sensitivity training covering language, traditions, and community connections, and assigns a cultural advocate to each foster child within 30 days to help integrate cultural practices and link to community resources. It also establishes a dedicated "Cultural Foster Care Fund" for implementation costs and requires the department to publish timelines and progress reports on partnerships with cultural organizations. This directly affects children in foster care, foster families, and the state's child welfare system.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 allows high school students to directly elect one or more student members to serve on their local school board. It requires schools to hold direct student elections (using paper ballots during second class) 30 days after the school year starts, with eligible students in good academic/behavioral standing who won't graduate during the term. Student members serve one academic year (non-voting but can speak, propose agenda items, and report student concerns), while school staff face penalties for interfering with elections or suppressing student rights. The bill directly affects public high school students and ensures their voices are formally included in school board discussions.

Maddy summaryHB 1728 requires operators of critical infrastructure systems - such as water, power, emergency response, and public transportation networks serving over 10,000 people or 3,300 households in New Hampshire - to implement specific cybersecurity measures. The bill mandates strict firewall controls, phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication for remote access, and documented incident response plans to prevent foreseeable cyber risks. Operators who fail to meet this "standard of care" could face liability for harms caused by security failures. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and has no new funding requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1634 creates a new legal pathway in New Hampshire state courts for individuals harmed by federal employees who violate state or federal law. It allows victims to sue federal employees (including contractors working with federal agencies) in superior court, requiring proof of a violation by a "preponderance of the evidence" (more likely than not). The law mandates that winning plaintiffs receive attorney fees and requires all case documents to be public under state open records law. This bill takes effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting federal employees operating in New Hampshire and residents seeking redress for legal violations.

Maddy summaryHB 1375 prohibits landlords from charging more than one application fee per tenant within any 12-month period, regardless of how many rental units the tenant applies for or leases under the same landlord or agent. It specifically covers all fees related to processing rental applications, including background checks, credit checks, and administrative costs. This law directly affects tenants seeking rental housing and landlords managing applications. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment, ensuring tenants pay only one fee for multiple applications to the same landlord within a year.