Rep. Melissa Litchfield

Maddy summaryHB 1589, the Digital Choice Act, requires social media companies operating in New Hampshire to let users access and share their personal data across platforms. It directly affects New Hampshire residents who use social media services and the companies that provide them. The bill mandates that companies implement open technical standards allowing users to download their social interactions (like posts, connections, and public engagement) in a portable format and share this data with other platforms, while excluding private messages. Users gain the right to delete their data or obtain a copy they can easily transfer, with companies required to secure data and maintain interoperability through non-discriminatory terms. The law does not apply to email, cloud storage, or document services.

Maddy summaryHB 1778 bars public schools in New Hampshire from teaching any approach that prioritizes personal identity factors (like race, gender, or sexual orientation) over individual merit in curriculum or policies. It requires school districts to create policies banning DEI-related curriculum, trainings, and programs, while prohibiting staff or students from being required to declare gender identity or pronouns. The law also mandates schools to promote equal opportunities for all students regardless of identity, with violations subject to civil action or educator disciplinary measures. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not provide new state funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1755 requires New Hampshire hospitals and clinics participating in the federal 340B drug discount program to annually report detailed financial data to the state Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General. This includes costs of drugs purchased under the program, payments received, how savings are used for charity care or community health services, and patient demographics broken down by payer type (e.g., Medicaid, uninsured). The report must cover all 340B-covered entities with a New Hampshire service address, including offsite facilities. The state will compile and share aggregated data with the legislature to increase transparency around how program savings benefit patients.

Maddy summaryHB 1055 requires school boards and charter school boards to create annual policies prohibiting student cell phone and personal communication device use during instructional time (from the first bell to dismissal), with exceptions for medical devices, disabilities (as defined in IEPs or 504 plans), or language support needs. The bill grants the state board of education authority to establish rules governing these school policies under RSA 541-A. It directly affects all public and charter schools, students, and school administrators by mandating specific device-use restrictions and requiring collaboration with parents and teachers in policy development. The law aims to standardize device policies while ensuring accommodations for students with documented medical, disability, or language learning needs.

Maddy summaryHB 1618 prohibits solar radiation modification (SRM), weather modification, and other atmospheric interventions that release pollutants in New Hampshire. It directly affects any entity - government agencies, researchers, or private groups - conducting such activities within the state. The bill replaces existing law to ban these interventions, requires enforcement by county sheriffs or deputized citizens, and establishes penalties for violations. The key change is banning experiments involving chemical releases (like cloud seeding) that could harm air quality, health, or ecosystems, as outlined in the "Clean Air Preservation Act."

Maddy summaryHB 1382 requires non-military overseas voters in New Hampshire who qualify under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to submit proof of U.S. citizenship once to maintain voter eligibility. It directly affects U.S. citizens living abroad who are not active-duty military members or their families, mandating submission of documents like passports, birth certificates, or citizenship certificates by January 1, 2027. Military members and their families are exempt from this requirement, as specified in federal UOCAVA law. The New Hampshire Secretary of State will verify submissions through a secure portal or mail, update voter records upon confirmation, and provide education materials to affected voters. This bill aims to verify voter eligibility under state law while maintaining federal voting rights protections for military voters.

Maddy summaryHB 1191 requires New Hampshire public school districts to email parents copies of all non-academic surveys at least 10 days before administration and obtain written parental consent for student participation. It specifically removes the previous exception that allowed the CDC's youth risk behavior survey to bypass parental consent, now requiring opt-in consent for all such surveys. Non-academic surveys include those about social behavior, family life, religion, politics, sexual orientation, drug use, or other non-academic topics. The bill directly affects parents of public school students and school districts, mandating new notification and consent procedures starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 656 clarifies that local school districts in our state have the authority to accept federal grants without needing additional state approval. This bill directly affects school districts by streamlining their ability to access federal funding for educational programs. The key provision removes potential barriers, ensuring districts can independently accept eligible federal grants as permitted by federal law. The bill does not change existing grant requirements but explicitly affirms districts' authority to do so.

Maddy summaryHB 360 would ban public school staff from performing diagnostic tests, conducting surgical procedures, or prescribing medications within school settings. This bill directly affects school nurses, administrators, and other personnel who currently handle medical needs during school hours. Key provisions would require schools to refer students needing these services to external healthcare providers instead of addressing them on-site. The bill is currently pending in committee after a majority committee report recommended passage with an amendment, though a minority report opposed it. (Note: Summary based solely on provided bill title and actions; no additional context was given.)

Maddy summarySB 15 proposes a sentencing option called "hard labor" for individuals convicted of capital murder or severe sexual assault on children under 13, correcting a mismatched title referencing drug distribution. The bill requires a separate jury sentencing hearing where 9 of 12 jurors must unanimously agree the crime was "especially heinous" or involved deliberate cruelty, before imposing life imprisonment at hard labor. Hard labor would involve 8+ hours daily of physically demanding tasks like construction or farming, with strict medical exemptions for documented health conditions requiring independent review. The bill also mandates prison staff training on constitutional standards and annual reporting on exemption requests, but remains pending committee approval.