Rep. Lilli Walsh

Maddy summarySB 467 increases penalties for fentanyl distribution by establishing mandatory minimum prison sentences: 3.5 years for 20 grams or more and 7 years for 50 grams or more (including mixtures). It also mandates a life sentence or long prison term for distributing non-fentanyl controlled drugs that cause death. Courts may reduce these sentences if defendants meet specific conditions, such as having no recent violent felony convictions, not using violence, and completing drug treatment or education. If reduced, defendants must serve at least 3 years of probation with drug testing, treatment, community service, and a suspended prison sentence.

Maddy summaryHB 1813 requires health insurance carriers to provide participating healthcare providers and facilities with 60 days' notice before making changes to their contracts, limiting such changes to four times per year on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. The bill mandates that carriers include redlined copies showing changes (with additions underlined/bolded and deletions struck through) and, for changes affecting over $500,000 in total annual reimbursement, provide a financial impact estimate to both providers and the Insurance Department. This directly affects health carriers and their contracted providers by increasing transparency and giving providers more time to review significant contract modifications. Exceptions include mutual agreements between carriers and providers, changes required by government rules, or updates to standard medical coding. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1638 creates a process for healthcare providers to bypass step therapy protocols when a patient's condition requires it, directly affecting patients and providers in insurance plans that use step therapy. Step therapy typically forces patients to try less expensive medications first before coverage is provided for more expensive alternatives. The bill requires step therapy protocols to be based on updated clinical guidelines developed by expert panels and mandates that insurers must grant an override request when providers demonstrate medical necessity, including conditions like advanced cancer or serious mental illness. This establishes a clear, evidence-based pathway to avoid unnecessary treatment delays without altering existing insurance coverage rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1433 creates a tax credit for New Hampshire businesses that create or expand child care programs. Businesses can claim a credit equal to 50% of qualifying expenses for building new facilities or expanding existing ones by at least 12 child care seats not available before January 1, 2027. The credit applies against business profits or enterprise taxes and can be carried forward for up to four years if not fully used in a given year. To qualify, businesses must create or expand licensed child care seats (either directly or through third parties) and submit an application to the Department of Revenue Administration.

Maddy summarySB 408 requires health insurance policies in New Hampshire to cover prosthetic devices for adults over 19, expanding existing coverage that previously applied only to children under 19. The bill mandates coverage for activity-specific prosthetics (like those for sports) but limits this to one device every five years. It also requires insurers to cover necessary materials, instruction, and repairs for medically needed prosthetics, without annual limits. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to most group health insurance plans, excluding Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) plans.

Maddy summarySB 614 establishes shared insurance programs (pooled risk management) for child care centers and foster family homes to reduce their insurance costs. It requires at least 10 facilities to form a pool, allowing them to collectively manage risks like liability, property damage, and workers' compensation. The program must operate as a legal entity under New Hampshire law, undergo annual financial audits, and be exempt from standard state insurance regulation and taxation. This directly affects child care centers and foster family homes by providing a lower-cost alternative to traditional insurance through collective risk-sharing.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes consumer protections for digital kiosks that allow people to buy, sell, or transfer digital assets (like cryptocurrency) using cash. It requires kiosks to hold first-time transactions for 48 hours (with a cancellation option), limit daily spending to $5,000 for new users and $15,000 for existing users, and display clear warnings about scams (e.g., "no government agency will ever demand payment by crypto"). Operators must verify identities, block transactions to known scam addresses, disclose all fees and reference prices, and provide detailed receipts. These rules directly affect kiosk operators and consumers, particularly older adults targeted by scammers.

Maddy summarySB 594 prohibits the use of devices that prevent natural ice formation (commonly called "agitators") when temporary docks are removed from water bodies. It directly affects property owners and dock managers who previously could use these devices during temporary dock removals. The bill amends state law to remove an exception that allowed such devices for temporary structures, requiring all ice-prevention devices to now comply with restrictions only for permanent structures. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 400 requires New Hampshire's Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board to review medical and scientific evidence about qualifying conditions for medical cannabis every two years. The board must also submit an annual report by January 1st, including specific citations to the evidence reviewed. This directly affects the oversight board, mandating structured updates to their review process and reporting transparency. The bill focuses on ensuring the board's decisions are consistently supported by current medical research.

Maddy summarySB 409 amends penalties for disobeying law enforcement officers during traffic stops or pursuits. It increases penalties for specific violations: disobeying orders to stop (subparagraph I(c)) now carries a class B felony if a motor vehicle accident causes serious injury, and a class A felony if the accident causes death or injury to another person. The bill directly affects drivers who refuse to comply with officers during traffic enforcement, particularly in situations involving collisions. These changes enhance criminal penalties for dangerous disobedience during pursuits, without adding new financial costs to state or local governments.