Rep. James Thibault

Maddy summarySB 487 amends New Hampshire law to allow credit unions to pay their board members for serving on the board, which is currently prohibited. The bill removes the existing restriction preventing such payments, enabling credit union members (the owners) to set the compensation amount at an annual meeting. This change directly affects credit unions and their board members by making board service compensable, rather than requiring it to be voluntary. The law now permits credit unions to establish board compensation as part of their operational structure.

Maddy summaryHB 1817 allows students who reside in a New Hampshire school district - regardless of whether they attend public, private, charter, or home education programs - to access all curricular courses and cocurricular activities (like clubs, sports, and arts) offered by that district. It requires school boards to adopt policies ensuring these students face no stricter rules than resident students in the district. The bill specifically affects home-educated students (including those with disabilities under certain conditions), private school students, and charter school students who live within a district but are not enrolled there. It does not change where students must attend school but guarantees equal access to local programs once they reside in a district.

Maddy summarySB 494 updates New Hampshire's state fire code to reference the 2024 editions of NFPA standards for life safety and fire prevention. It requires fire departments to report all incidents to the state fire marshal within 10 days, with fatal fires or carbon monoxide releases needing immediate reporting and a 48-hour investigation. The bill adds new duties for the state fire marshal, including authority to charge fees for electrical and mechanical safety inspections (per Saf-C 8100) and to assist with local inspections when requested. This affects fire departments, property owners, contractors, and local authorities by clarifying reporting timelines, investigation protocols, and inspection fee structures.

Maddy summaryHB 1423 expands New Hampshire's "improper influence" law to include threats against the immediate family members (spouses, children, parents, siblings, or household members) of public servants, party officials, or voters. It makes threatening harm to these family members a class B felony, imposing mandatory minimum penalties: at least one year in prison and $1,000 in fines for each person threatened. These penalties must be served consecutively for multiple victims and cannot be reduced or suspended. The bill directly affects individuals who attempt to influence public officials' decisions through coercion targeting their families, with no direct state or local cost impact noted.

Maddy summaryHB 1416 prohibits New Hampshire state agencies, subdivisions, and municipalities from regulating pregnancy resource centers regarding abortion or contraception services. It directly affects private nonprofit pregnancy resource centers (which provide support without performing abortions or referring for abortion/contraception) and government entities that might impose such regulations. The bill bans requirements that centers offer, provide, refer for, or promote abortion, chemical abortion drugs, or contraception, and prohibits restrictions on their services based on these policies. It also allows affected centers or individuals to sue the government for violations seeking damages or court orders.

Maddy summaryHB 1793 prohibits New Hampshire public colleges and universities from restricting the possession or carrying of firearms and non-lethal weapons (like pepper spray or stun guns) on campus. It directly affects public institutions of higher education and any student, faculty, staff, or visitor who lawfully carries such items under state law. The bill requires schools to allow constitutional carry without requiring permits or licenses and permits individuals harmed by school policies to sue for at least $10,000 in damages. This law takes effect January 1, 2027, aligning with New Hampshire’s existing constitutional carry framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 permits public and private entities to separate individuals by biological sex in two specific situations: multi-user bathrooms/locker rooms and athletic competitions where biological males typically have physical advantages (like strength or speed). It defines "biological sex" as male or female and states that such separation does not count as discrimination under New Hampshire law. The bill makes this classification optional - entities are not required to implement it. This change modifies New Hampshire's anti-discrimination law to explicitly allow these limited sex-based classifications.

Maddy summaryHB 1571 requires New Hampshire's Department of Education to review statewide academic standards for English/language arts, math, and science every 10 years, beginning in June 2026. The review must align standards with rigor, clarity, and relevance, incorporating input from students, parents, and educators. School districts must select new curriculum materials from a department-approved list based on the revised standards. The bill appropriates $1 for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to fund this process.

Maddy summaryHB 1132 would require public schools and public charter schools in New Hampshire to remove all flags except the U.S. flag, New Hampshire state flag, and POW/MIA flag from school buildings and grounds. Exceptions allow for flags used in specific educational contexts (like foreign language or U.S. history classes), U.S. military branch flags, and official city or town flags. Violations would trigger escalating penalties: a warning for the first offense, disciplinary action for the second, and potential state-imposed fines up to $1,000 for third or subsequent violations. The law would take effect on September 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1373 expands background checks for individuals seeking teaching credentials in New Hampshire by adding specific crimes to the list that would disqualify applicants. It disqualifies applicants convicted of certain drug trafficking offenses (like RSA 318-B:2), sex offenses involving children (including RSA 650:2), or other serious violations listed in the bill within the last 10 years. This directly affects people applying for educator credentials who have these specific criminal histories. The bill modifies existing law (RSA 189:13-c) to include these additional disqualifying offenses, effective upon passage.