Rep. Mark MacKenzie

Maddy summaryHB 1352 modifies how workers' compensation insurance carriers and self-insurers pay medical bills and resolve disputes. It extends the time carriers have to pay uncontested medical claims, creates an optional mediation process for contested claims, and changes the standard for resolving disputes from "reasonable effort" to "good faith." The bill also increases civil penalties for failing to make good faith efforts to pay claims, raising fines from $2,500 to $5,000 per violation. This directly affects medical providers (like doctors and hospitals) who bill for workers' compensation care and the insurance companies that pay those bills.

Maddy summaryHB 1177 defines "remote work" as a flexible arrangement where employees work from an alternative site under a written agreement, not regularly at an office. It directly affects remote workers and employers across New Hampshire by requiring equal treatment, including meal breaks, overtime, and paid time off, as well as reimbursement for work-related costs like internet, equipment, and home office supplies. The bill mandates employers to ensure home office safety, address ergonomic needs, provide safety training, and maintain clear communication channels for remote staff. It also clarifies that remote workers have the same workers’ compensation procedures as in-person employees for work-related injuries or illnesses. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in New Hampshire to provide employees with a written notice detailing the terms and conditions of any remote work arrangement. The notice must specifically include a reference to all applicable laws and regulations governing the work setup. The legislation aims to increase transparency by ensuring workers are informed about the rules of their remote positions before or when they begin working from home. There is no estimated financial cost to the state, counties, or local governments for implementing this requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 1522 proposes to update the rules for calculating unemployment compensation benefits in New Hampshire by replacing the current formula with a new schedule based on an individual's annual earnings. To qualify, a person must have earned at least $1,400 in each of two calendar quarters, and their weekly payment would then be determined by a specific table that links their total yearly income to a maximum weekly and total benefit amount. The bill directly affects eligible job seekers who file for unemployment, setting new caps on how much they can receive per week and over the course of a benefit year. If passed, these changes would take effect 60 days after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires manufacturers and sellers of firefighting gear to inform buyers whether the equipment contains PFAS chemicals, a specific class of fluorinated compounds. Starting in 2020, these notices must be included in employee files and given directly to firefighters, while records of the disclosure must be kept for three years. The state safety department is tasked with encouraging the purchase of PFAS-free gear, and fire departments are directed to prioritize safer alternatives when they become available. By 2025, the law prohibits departments from offering or allowing the use of firefighter uniforms that include intentionally added PFAS chemicals.