Rep. Vanessa Sheehan

Maddy summaryHB 1267 requires school districts to create a policy that prevents school attorneys, law enforcement, and other non-school staff from questioning minor students (under 18) without written permission from a parent or guardian. For students aged 18 or older, the policy must ask if they want their parents notified before questioning, and if they consent, parents can be present. The policy also ensures parents or guardians can attend questioning and bring their own attorney, with exceptions only for child welfare investigations by designated social services. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1002 repeals the property tax exemption for solar energy systems, meaning homeowners and businesses with solar installations will no longer be excluded from taxable property assessments. The bill removes specific tax code provisions (RSA 72:62 and related sections) that previously allowed solar systems to be valued separately for tax purposes. Starting April 1, 2027, solar energy systems will be included in standard property tax valuations, requiring owners to pay taxes on these systems as part of their property assessment. This change directly affects property owners who currently benefit from the exemption, shifting their tax obligation to align with standard property valuation practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1653 requires freestanding hospital emergency facilities (FHEFs) to allow patients receiving emergency care to choose their transfer destination hospital, rather than being limited to the parent hospital that owns or operates the FHEF. The bill mandates that FHEFs provide this choice when a transfer is medically necessary and the selected hospital can treat the patient's condition, while prohibiting practices like conditioning treatment on transfers to affiliated hospitals or steering patients toward the parent facility. It also requires FHEFs to document the patient's transfer preference and forbids exclusive contracts with emergency medical services that restrict transfer options. These provisions aim to protect patient autonomy, prevent anti-competitive behavior, and ensure continuity of care during emergency transfers.

Maddy summaryHB 1099 establishes a committee to examine how private businesses providing special education and behavioral services interact with school districts, particularly regarding reimbursement. The committee - composed of one Senate member and four House members - will study specific issues like whether districts get reimbursed when businesses use their resources, residency rules for students in business-provided housing, funding when parents live in different districts, and reimbursement for non-profits paying in lieu of taxes. It will also assess state-placed children in private facilities and report findings by November 1, 2026. This bill does not change current law but directs a study to inform future policy on special education funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1124 establishes the "Right to Compute Act" in New Hampshire, creating a constitutional right for residents to privately own and use computational resources (like computers, software, networks, and AI tools) for lawful purposes. It prohibits government entities from restricting this right except for specific, narrowly defined compelling interests - such as preventing AI infrastructure risks, stopping fraud, protecting minors from deepfakes, or addressing datacenter nuisances. The bill defines "computational resources" broadly to include all technology enabling data processing, and "government action" to cover any rules or policies limiting such tools. It explicitly preserves existing intellectual property laws and does not override federal regulations. This law directly affects all New Hampshire residents using digital tools by strengthening protections against unwarranted government interference.

Maddy summaryHB 1299 permits public and private entities in New Hampshire to separate individuals by biological sex in three specific settings: multi-user facilities (like bathrooms and locker rooms), athletic competitions where biological males typically have a competitive advantage, and correctional or treatment facilities. The bill defines "biological sex" as the sex listed on an individual’s birth certificate issued near birth. It explicitly states that these sex-based separations do not constitute discrimination under state law. The bill amends New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination statute (RSA 354-A) to create these limited exceptions, affecting how facilities and events are operated in those contexts.

Maddy summaryHB 301 requires New Hampshire legislators to step away from voting on any bill where they or their household members have a potential financial gain or a leadership role in an affected organization. The law also mandates that lawmakers verbally disclose such conflicts before speaking in committees or on the legislative floor. While the bill defines specific situations requiring recusal, it includes an exception allowing legislators to vote on broad-based tax measures or state budget items where their personal interest is minimal. These rules apply to both elected officials and their immediate families to ensure decisions are made without the influence of personal gain.

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 1030 repeals several existing task forces and commissions in New Hampshire, including the Air Pollution Advisory Committee and the John G. Winant Memorial Commission. The bill transfers the responsibility for maintaining the John G. Winant memorial to the Joint Legislative Historical Committee and establishes a new committee to study ways to make the appeals process for the state's environmental councils faster and more cost-effective. Additionally, the law requires state departments to report annually on the implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and sets a deadline for the new appeals study committee to submit its findings by November 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes stricter ethical rules for New Hampshire legislators by requiring them to step away from voting on any legislation where they or their household members have a significant financial stake. It defines specific situations that mandate recusal, such as when a legislator receives money from an organization that actively lobbies on the issue, and it clarifies what counts as having "substantial influence" over a group. The law also updates definitions to include a broader range of organizations and explicitly exempts legislators from recusal requirements when voting on the state budget or general revenue bills.