Rep. Jonah Wheeler

Maddy summaryHB 1683, titled the Children's Body Autonomy Act, would have restricted coverage of circumcision under New Hampshire's Medicaid plan to cases deemed medically necessary. The bill defines specific medical conditions for newborns and minors that would qualify for coverage, such as recurrent urinary tract infections, certain congenital anomalies, and specific infections or obstructions. Additionally, it requires health care providers to obtain pre-authorization before performing any covered circumcision. Although the bill included definitions for health care providers and children, it did not become law as it died on the table when the legislative session ended in October 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prevent local governments from enforcing rules that limit the number of people living in a rental unit based on whether they are related or restrict occupancy to only family members. Specifically, it bans ordinances that cap residents at fewer than two people per bedroom or that require occupants to be related by blood or marriage. The law applies to cities, towns, and counties that contain unincorporated areas or unorganized places. If passed, these restrictions would take effect 60 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryHB 1297 would have required local towns to prove that any new rules restricting how people use their land directly protect community health or safety. The bill also sought to stop municipalities from banning specific housing types, building sizes, or energy technologies if they met state and federal safety standards. Additionally, it would have allowed towns to pass ordinances limiting certain business activities based on scientific evidence of their impact on residents and the environment. Although the bill aimed to give communities more power to regulate land use, it was ultimately tabled and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have amended New Hampshire's veterinary practice laws to allow individuals to perform animal chiropractic adjustments without a veterinary license. Under the proposed rules, a person could practice this specific therapy if they completed a nationally recognized animal chiropractic program approved by state officials. The legislation aimed to create a new exception to the existing requirement that only licensed veterinarians can treat animals. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor and ultimately did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1278 expands the list of qualifying medical conditions for therapeutic cannabis in New Hampshire to include any debilitating or terminal condition where a doctor believes the benefits likely outweigh the risks for adults aged 21 and older. Under this new provision, a certifying provider must document the patient's specific condition and state their clinical opinion on the risk-benefit balance to approve the patient for treatment. The bill also removes previous restrictions that limited how many times a qualifying patient could visit the state to obtain their medication. Additionally, it includes a contingency clause to renumber the new section if another related bill passes in the future, and the law takes effect 60 days after being signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two main requirements for New Hampshire county corrections and human rights agencies. First, it mandates that county correction superintendents require contracted behavioral health providers to use validated screening tools for mental health and substance use disorders, while also allowing licensed community providers to visit inmates to coordinate reentry services. Second, it adds a specific definition of antisemitism to the state's anti-discrimination laws, instructing enforcement authorities to use this definition when investigating claims of discrimination against Jewish individuals. The legislation includes safeguards to ensure these changes do not infringe upon First Amendment rights or alter existing evidentiary standards for proving discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's safe haven laws to allow parents to anonymously surrender infants up to 61 days old, matching the age limits of other New England states. It expands the definition of safe haven devices to include containers installed in hospitals, police stations, and fire departments, provided they are staffed around the clock and have alarms. The legislation also clarifies that parents who surrender a baby cannot be prosecuted solely based on evidence found during that surrender, while still permitting investigations into other crimes not directly linked to the act of surrendering the child.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 updates the composition and operational rules of New Hampshire's Commission on Native American Affairs to better represent indigenous communities. The bill reduces the number of public members from eleven to ten and clarifies that each representative must come from a specific tribe, band, or community rather than a broad social group, while also adjusting the voting quorum requirement. It outlines the commission's duties to study issues affecting Native Americans, preserve cultural artifacts and burial grounds, and recognize indigenous contributions without granting special legal rights or privileges to any individual. The legislation also mandates that the commission meet at least four times annually and publishes its meeting notices and minutes online for public transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new state laws to protect freedom of speech and association at public colleges and universities in New Hampshire. It designates outdoor campus areas as public forums where students and staff can engage in peaceful expression without being forced into designated "free speech zones." The legislation prohibits institutions from discriminating against student groups based on their religious, political, or ideological views and defines specific limits on when speech can be restricted, such as during unlawful fights or harassment. Additionally, the bill creates a legal remedy allowing individuals or groups to sue schools for violations, with a monetary cap on damages adjusted annually for inflation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for how lobbyists in New Hampshire must report their financial activities to the Secretary of State. It requires lobbyists to file electronic statements by the end of January, May, July, and September that detail all fees received and expenses paid since the last report. The law also mandates that these filings be submitted in a digital format capable of linking income, spending, and political contributions for easier tracking. These new reporting requirements will officially begin taking effect on January 1, 2027.