Rep. David Love

Maddy summaryHB 1203 requires courts to immediately order the return of firearms or ammunition seized during a criminal case when the case ends in a not guilty verdict or is dismissed by the state. It mandates that law enforcement agencies must return the property within 24 hours of the court order, eliminating the need for background checks in these specific situations. The bill directly affects individuals whose firearms were temporarily seized as part of a criminal proceeding that did not result in a conviction. This policy change ensures a streamlined process for returning property without additional screening once a case concludes without a guilty finding.

Maddy summaryHB 1615 would allow consenting adults to form legally binding private agreements, called "contract marriages," as an alternative to obtaining a state marriage license. These agreements would be governed solely by civil contract law, not family law, meaning they would not provide protections or processes related to divorce, child custody, or spousal support. Parties could optionally file a "Certificate of Contract Marriage" with the state for administrative purposes, but this filing would not create a public record or subject the agreement to family court. The bill explicitly states that contract marriages do not affect child welfare laws or change the existing requirement for a marriage license for couples seeking state-recognized marriage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a first-degree murder charge for anyone who administers medication intended to terminate a pregnancy without the pregnant woman's knowledge or consent. It also changes when a fetus can be considered a homicide victim, removing the previous 20-week gestation limit and instead defining a "fetus" from conception (or implantation for IVF) until birth. These changes mean that nonconsensual administration of pregnancy-termination medication could now be prosecuted as murder, and killing a fetus at any stage would be treated as homicide under the new definition. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1556 increases penalties for domestic violence offenses committed in the presence of a child under 18, directly affecting perpetrators convicted under New Hampshire law (RSA 631:2-b). It raises maximum jail time for class A misdemeanors from 1 year to 18 months and adds a mandatory 30-day minimum sentence for all qualifying offenses. The bill also requires law enforcement to report child presence at domestic violence scenes and mandates police training on identifying child exposure, while clarifying that the law does not criminalize victims or impact parental fitness. Courts must consider the child’s age, psychological impact, and defendant history when sentencing.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to how New Hampshire administers its refugee resettlement program by prioritizing state funding for the social determinants of health for U.S. citizens first. Under the new rules, government resources for refugees could only be used after the department confirms that all eligible citizens have been served and removed from waitlists for state-funded services. The legislation would take effect 60 days after passing, though recent committee reviews have recommended against further legislative action on this measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire school districts to create policies ensuring parents receive at least two weeks' advance notice before specific curriculum materials covering human sexuality, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity are used in class. It also mandates that districts make these materials available for parental review upon request and allows parents to request exceptions to specific course content if they find it objectionable, provided they arrange and pay for an alternative education plan. Additionally, the legislation prohibits schools from preventing parents from asking about their child's mental, emotional, or physical well-being, while maintaining an exception for situations where disclosure could lead to abuse or neglect.

Maddy summaryThis New Hampshire bill prohibits doctors from performing genital gender reassignment surgery on anyone under the age of 18. It allows such procedures only for adults and explicitly permits necessary medical treatments like correcting birth defects, treating cancer, or performing male circumcision on minors. The law defines specific surgical types that are banned for those under the age of majority while ensuring exceptions remain for reconstructive surgeries required for health or safety. Violations of this rule are considered unprofessional conduct that could lead to disciplinary action against the physician, and families may seek legal damages if a prohibited surgery is performed.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire hunting laws to allow lever-action carbines in areas where only handguns or pistols are typically permitted for game. The legislation specifically authorizes the use of rifles chambered in .357, .44 Magnum, or .45 Colt, as well as straight-walled pistol cartridges of .38 or .357 caliber and greater. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to all hunters operating within the state's designated handgun-only hunting zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the ability of incarcerated individuals, parolees, and those convicted of violent felonies or crimes against children to change their legal names. To obtain a name change, these individuals must now prove to a probate court that the change is necessary, and they must notify relevant government agencies and the original prosecuting authority. The law also requires the prosecutor to attempt to inform the victim or the victim's family, allowing them to share their views with the judge before a decision is made. These rules apply specifically to serious offenses such as murder, assault, kidnapping, and sexual crimes, while the changes take effect on July 30, 2024.