Rep. Kevin Verville

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire law to require schools, school districts, and public academies to perform criminal history checks on all job applicants before making a final employment offer. It allows school leaders to negotiate with unions to conduct these background checks on a recurring basis rather than just once, ensuring ongoing safety for students and staff. Additionally, the legislation provides legal protection for schools that follow these procedures, shielding them from negligence lawsuits if they properly complete the required background checks.

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 New Hampshire bill updates state hunting laws to allow hunters to use a wider range of pistol calibers, including any caliber .38 or .357 Magnum and larger, for taking deer. The law specifically limits the ammunition capacity in these hunting pistols to no more than six rounds at any time. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to individuals hunting deer under existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits individuals convicted of specific crimes against children, such as sexual assault or possession of child sexual abuse images, from working or volunteering in roles that provide direct care or supervision to minors. The ban applies to various positions including teachers, coaches, camp counselors, and day care workers, and it also requires employers and organizations serving minors to conduct criminal background checks on all prospective employees and volunteers. Additionally, the legislation makes it a crime for these individuals to apply for initial teacher certification without disclosing their criminal history. These restrictions take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1665 raises the annual household income limit for students to qualify for New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program from 350 percent to 500 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. This change directly affects families with higher incomes who currently do not meet the eligibility requirements to use these accounts for private or home schooling options. The bill also adjusts the definitions of average daily membership in attendance and residence to align with the updated eligibility criteria. By expanding the income threshold, the legislation allows more students to access state-funded education vouchers, while excluding students in the special school district within the Department of Corrections.

Maddy summaryHB 1616 requires schools to obtain written parental consent for each new medical or dental service provided to a student under the Medicaid to Schools program, defining a new service by a change in the diagnostic billing code. The bill also mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services submit annual reports detailing the program's costs and the number of students served. Additionally, the legislation establishes a pilot recruitment and retention program for the department to address staffing vacancies, allowing for specific incentives that are exempt from certain state gift and collective bargaining rules. This pilot program must conclude with a report on its effectiveness by December 31, 2024, to determine if it will be included in future state budgets.