Rep. Melissa Litchfield

Maddy summarySB 71 allows New Hampshire counties to hold individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for up to 48 additional hours (excluding weekends and holidays) after resolving local state charges, provided the county and ICE have a written agreement. This bill directly affects county correctional facilities and ICE, establishing clear limits on how long local jails can detain immigration enforcement detainees. The key provision requires counties to have a formal written agreement with ICE to use this 48-hour extension, and it specifies that counties cannot hold individuals solely for immigration enforcement without addressing state charges first. The bill aims to clarify cooperation protocols between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 377 modifies rules for healthcare professionals providing hormone treatments and puberty blockers, though specific requirements aren't detailed in the provided context. It also designates the second Thursday in October as "Children's Environmental Health Day" for recognition purposes. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ayotte on August 1, 2025, with key provisions taking effect on January 1, 2026, and one section expiring September 30, 2025. It directly affects healthcare providers administering these treatments and promotes awareness of children's environmental health. The bill's health-related provisions appear procedural or regulatory without further context on specific changes.

Maddy summaryHB 697 is a proposed bill that would adjust the payment rates for witnesses testifying in criminal court cases. It directly affects individuals who are subpoenaed to testify, ensuring they receive updated compensation for their time and expenses. The bill's key provision modifies the current fee schedule to align with current cost-of-living standards, increasing the daily payment amount. This change aims to improve witness participation in criminal proceedings by providing fairer reimbursement. The bill is currently under review in committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 273 grants parents the right to access their minor child's library records at public libraries. The bill directly affects parents of minors and public libraries that maintain such records. It requires libraries to provide parents with access to their child's borrowing history and other library records upon request. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, after being signed by Governor Ayotte on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 617, now Chapter 282) was signed into law by Governor Ayotte on August 1, 2025, effective January 1, 2026. The provided context does not include the bill's specific provisions, mechanisms, or who it directly affects. Legislative actions confirm its passage through conference committee and enactment, but no details about homestead right changes are described in the given information. Without the bill text or explanatory summaries, a substantive policy description cannot be provided.

Maddy summaryHB 712 restricts certain gender-affirming medical procedures for minors (including chest reconstruction, commonly referred to in medical contexts as "breast surgeries" but not the precise term used in legislation) in residential care facilities and health facilities. The bill requires facilities to obtain parental consent for these procedures and prohibits them without such consent for minors under 18. It also includes unrelated provisions requiring health care providers to collect and report abortion statistics, though this element appears misplaced in the bill's title. The law affects minors receiving care in residential facilities and medical providers operating within those settings. Note: The bill's title inaccurately describes the medical procedures; it targets gender-affirming care, not general breast surgeries.

Maddy summaryHB 446 would have required public schools to provide written parental notice before administering non-academic surveys (such as those on mental health, social issues, or personal behavior) to students. This directly affects public school districts, administrators, and parents of K-12 students. The key mechanism mandated that schools notify parents in advance, allowing them to opt their children out of such surveys. The bill passed the Senate in May 2025 but was vetoed by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 781 requires all public school districts to create and implement policies that establish cell phone-free classrooms during instructional time. This directly affects school districts, administrators, teachers, and students by mandating rules to limit cell phone use during lessons. The key provision is a requirement for districts to develop specific policies, though the bill does not specify exact enforcement methods. The measure passed both legislative chambers in May 2025 but was vetoed by Governor Ayotte on July 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 560 is a multi-topic bill that bundles four distinct policy proposals. It would allow parents access to their minor children's medical records, impose penalties for refusing alcohol concentration testing, define how pre-sequestration timber tax revenue is handled, and establish a moratorium on carbon sequestration projects in New Hampshire forests while creating a commission to study their impact on tax revenue and the logging industry. The bill does not create a single unified policy but combines these separate provisions. Key mechanisms include new parental access rules for medical records, penalties for refusing alcohol tests, and a temporary pause on carbon sequestration projects with a mandated study. This bill directly affects parents, healthcare providers, drivers facing alcohol testing, and entities involved in forestry and carbon sequestration in New Hampshire.