Rep. Jennifer Mandelbaum

Maddy summaryHB 1494 increases the maximum allowable amounts for three optional local tax credits in New Hampshire: the veterans' credit ($750 → $1,000), combat service credit ($500 → $750), and surviving spouse credit ($2,000 → $2,500). These credits directly affect eligible veterans, active-duty service members in combat roles, and surviving spouses of service members killed in action. Municipalities must adopt the updated credit amounts (replacing the standard credits), and the surviving spouse credit now covers all property types (real and personal) in the resident's municipality. The changes take effect April 1, 2027, with no requirement for local re-adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students in New Hampshire public schools and camps to use over-the-counter sunscreen without a doctor's note or prescription. School and camp staff may assist with application upon parental permission, and the law requires schools to implement age-appropriate skin cancer prevention education covering UV risks and protective measures like sunscreen and sun-protective clothing (e.g., hats). It also protects staff from liability when following these guidelines, addressing current barriers where some schools prohibited sunscreen due to "medication bans."

Maddy summaryHB 1809 would establish a regulated program under New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services allowing licensed medical providers to use psilocybin for specific qualifying conditions. It directly affects patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or substance use disorders (and potentially other conditions approved later), and medical providers who must be separately approved as both practitioners and producers of psilocybin. Key provisions include creating a state program to approve providers/producers, requiring public listing of approved providers, mandating data collection for program evaluation, and defining psilocybin as naturally occurring (excluding synthetic versions). The bill sets up a supervised therapeutic framework with strict requirements for provider applications, facility locations, and patient eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 1162 extends the deadline for the Commission on Holocaust and Genocide Studies to submit its final report from November 1, 2026, to November 1, 2029. The bill directly affects the commission, which is tasked with studying Holocaust and genocide education in New Hampshire schools. It modifies the commission's reporting requirements by updating the final report deadline in state law, while maintaining existing provisions for preliminary and annual reports. This is a procedural adjustment to the commission's timeline, with no changes to its duties or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1519 changes the mandatory retirement age for New Hampshire's Adjutant General and Deputy Adjutant General from 65 to 64 years. It also modifies the Adjutant General's term of office to end after 6 years or upon reaching age 64 (previously ending only at age 65). The bill does not alter existing service requirements (e.g., 5 years in the National Guard) or rank qualifications (colonel for Adjutant General, major for Deputy). These changes directly affect the state's top military leadership positions within the Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services.

Maddy summaryHB 1538 prohibits vape product marketers from using deceptive tactics to target minors. Specifically, it bans imitating food, school supplies, or clothing (e.g., candy packaging or pencil designs), using minor-appealing characters (like cartoon figures or video game icons), or embedding interactive video game features in vape products. The law directly affects vape manufacturers and retailers who market products through these methods. Violations will be handled as civil infractions by the Liquor Commission, with penalties under existing rules. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1773 would direct New Hampshire to seek federal approval to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from purchasing sweetened drinks (with 5g+ added sugar) and candy. The bill requires the state health department to submit a waiver to the USDA by January 2027, defining prohibited items like soda and candy bars while excluding milk, juice blends, and certain non-refrigerated sweets. It mandates implementation plans for retailers and annual reports on purchasing patterns and health outcomes. This would directly affect SNAP recipients in New Hampshire who currently use benefits for these restricted items.

Maddy summarySB 403 requires all public and private schools in New Hampshire to begin the school year on or after the day following Labor Day. This law directly affects school boards statewide by prohibiting them from scheduling the start of classes before Labor Day. The key provision amends state law to establish a new requirement that schools must begin no earlier than the day after Labor Day, as defined by existing law. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, with no exceptions specified.

Maddy summaryHB 1782 establishes a rural maternal health care delivery pilot program to provide prenatal and postnatal care in New Hampshire areas with limited access to specialized pregnancy services. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop this program, which would use mid-level practitioners (like certified nurse midwives) and collaborate with nearby hospitals, while also creating a Maternity Care Improvement Commission to study statewide maternal health strategies. It includes a Medicaid provider audit to ensure proper reimbursement for midwives and a loan reimbursement program for certified midwives who commit to working 32+ hours weekly in rural areas for at least two years. The pilot program and commission must report findings to state leaders by July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects rural pregnant people, midwives, and healthcare providers in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1258 requires New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services to publish PFAS testing results on its public website. The bill mandates the department to include data from public water systems, private wells tested through state programs, and environmental samples like soil, water, and fish tissue. Published data must be searchable by location, date, and contaminant type, with updates every six months while protecting private well owners' personal information. This law directly affects public access to PFAS contamination data and the department's reporting obligations.