Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller

Maddy summaryHB 1640 proposes creating a new cause of action that allows individuals to sue the state or local government when a government employee violates their constitutional rights, such as through excessive force. The bill explicitly removes federal and common law doctrines like qualified immunity and sovereign immunity from these specific claims, ensuring that courts can determine liability without those legal barriers. Under this plan, the government employer would be the only defendant and would bear financial responsibility, while the individual employee would be protected from personal liability and given the right to intervene in the lawsuit. The legislation also establishes a three-year deadline for filing such claims and requires courts to evaluate the reasonableness of an employee's actions based on the facts known at the time of the incident. Although the bill includes provisions to protect judges and legislators from liability for their official duties, it was ultimately laid on the table by the House and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Veteran Licensing Acceleration Program to help military veterans in New Hampshire obtain professional licenses more quickly in regulated fields. It creates a dedicated administrator within the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services to provide resources, mentorship, and guidance on how military experience translates to state licensure requirements. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification issue temporary licenses within 30 days to armed forces members and their spouses who already hold valid out-of-state licenses, allowing them to work while completing local requirements. The bill also directs the state to adopt rules defining which military training counts as equivalent to professional education and includes funding to support these new initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new state laws to protect freedom of speech and association at public colleges and universities in New Hampshire. It designates outdoor campus areas as public forums where students and staff can engage in peaceful expression without being forced into designated "free speech zones." The legislation prohibits institutions from discriminating against student groups based on their religious, political, or ideological views and defines specific limits on when speech can be restricted, such as during unlawful fights or harassment. Additionally, the bill creates a legal remedy allowing individuals or groups to sue schools for violations, with a monetary cap on damages adjusted annually for inflation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's child support guidelines to better reflect modern family arrangements by clarifying definitions and adjusting calculations. It formally defines terms like "eligible child care costs," "parenting time," and "substantially similar incomes" to provide clearer standards for courts and parents. The law introduces a new framework where child support obligations may be reduced or eliminated if both parents have similar incomes and share parenting time equally, while still allowing for adjustments in cases of significant health needs, long distances, or abuse. These changes aim to ensure that child support orders are fair and do not leave one parent with a higher adjusted income than the other when both are actively involved in raising the children. The provisions will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis law allows employees to legally store a locked, non-visible firearm or ammunition in their personal vehicle while on employer property without facing discipline. It prohibits employers from forcing employees to reveal if they have a gun in their car and bars workplace searches for firearms unless conducted by law enforcement with a warrant or valid exception. Additionally, the bill shields employers from civil lawsuits regarding injuries or thefts involving these stored weapons, provided the employer did not intentionally encourage the harm. These protections apply to private businesses, the state, and municipalities, effective January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Hampshire Commissioner of Education to establish fees specifically for processing criminal background checks for educators. The law requires that these fees be set at a level reflecting the actual cost of conducting the checks and mandates that the money collected be used solely to cover these expenses. Effective July 1, 2024, the funds generated from these fees cannot lapse or be transferred to other state budgets, ensuring they remain dedicated to the background check program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that vote counting and tabulation occur openly in public at polling places and central locations, ensuring the process is not paused or delayed until finished. It mandates that election officials keep all ballots at least four feet away from the guardrail during this public viewing and makes all generated documents available for public inspection once results are announced. Additionally, the law specifies that printed results from voting machines must be posted for public review within 60 minutes of the final ballot being processed if applicable. These changes directly affect election administrators and observers by enforcing transparency and immediate access to election data.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a committee to study the procedures for seizing items connected to drug crimes. The committee will consist of three representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, who will receive travel reimbursement for their work. The legislation focuses on creating a specific group to examine how these asset forfeitures are currently handled.