Rep. Alicia Gregg

Maddy summaryHB 473 criminalizes exposing children to controlled substances (drugs) through various means, directly affecting children whose caregivers or others intentionally place them in such situations. The bill allows law enforcement to take children into temporary custody for immediate screening and testing when criminal exposure is suspected or confirmed. Key provisions include treating the exposure as a crime and establishing a clear process for law enforcement to secure child safety through medical evaluation. The law becomes effective January 1, 2026, after being signed by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 507 requires health insurance companies and health plans (health carriers) to process complete credentialing applications from mental health care providers within 30 days of submission. This directly affects health carriers by mandating a strict processing timeline and mental health providers by reducing delays in gaining approval to work with insurers. The bill specifies that the 30-day deadline applies only to applications that are fully complete, meaning all required documentation is submitted upfront. It will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 493 requires physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in New Hampshire to complete one hour of accredited education on recognizing, reporting, and collaborating regarding child abuse and neglect as part of their mandatory continuing medical education. This requirement applies to both initial licensure and every biennial license renewal. The education must be accredited for category 1 medical or nursing hours and recognized by the New Hampshire chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The bill amends existing licensing rules to make this training a formal condition for maintaining licensure.

Maddy summaryHB 553 amends New Hampshire's child abuse and neglect laws by updating definitions and establishing a rebuttable presumption that family unity is in a child's best interest. The bill requires courts to presume family unity is appropriate unless proven otherwise, while mandating removal only when a child's physical, emotional, or psychological welfare is at risk. It revises definitions of "abandoned" (excluding cases due to lack of mental health services) and "abuse" (including sexual abuse and intentional physical injury). The law also emphasizes trauma-informed care, prioritizes placing children with kin or in community settings, and requires frequent reviews to return children home as quickly as possible. This directly affects child welfare courts, families involved in abuse/neglect cases, and child protective services.

Maddy summaryHB 347 ensures that employees who are members of the state's general court (legislature) can take time off work to attend voting sessions without losing their jobs. Employers with 25 or more employees must allow this time off, requiring staff to provide advance notice of session dates. Employees may use accrued paid leave for these sessions, or take unpaid leave if no paid time is available. Employers who violate this law face civil penalties enforced by the labor commissioner. The law applies to all general court voting sessions and takes effect 60 days after passage.