Rep. Alexis Simpson

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits the sale of new consumer products that contain intentionally added chemicals known as PFAS, which are commonly used for stain and water resistance. The ban covers a wide range of household items, including mattresses, carpets, cosmetics, food packaging, and furniture, while excluding products made with high percentages of recycled content or those regulated by federal law. Manufacturers and distributors must stop producing or importing these items, and the state can also pursue civil lawsuits against companies responsible for PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems. Additionally, the legislation provides a framework for settling legal claims related to the impacts of these chemicals on water supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a voluntary certification program for doulas and lactation service providers to make their services eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid. The state's office of professional licensure and certification is tasked with creating the rules and processes for this certification, while ensuring the program includes diverse community members. The law clarifies that this new certification does not replace existing federal funding or prevent individuals already certified under other laws from working. It took effect on July 1, 2024, allowing certified providers to bill Medicaid for their specific services under separate coverage rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display portraits of former Senator Martha Fuller Clark and Wentworth Cheswell. It also requires that money earned from commemorative bottles sold for the American Revolution's 250th anniversary be placed into a specific trust fund. These actions aim to honor historical figures and manage funds related to a significant historical anniversary.

Maddy summaryHB 1490 updates the Solid Waste Management Act by clarifying legal definitions and strengthening permit oversight for solid waste facilities. The bill explicitly defines "abutters" as property owners adjacent to or across from waste facilities and specifies which vehicles count as "end-of-life" for disposal purposes. It grants the state department authority to terminate permits when a facility closes and requires that all permits be continuous in duration unless revoked for cause. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the department must wait 30 days after a public hearing before issuing final permit decisions to ensure public concerns are fully considered.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a two-year pilot program in New Hampshire to help school districts buy local food by reimbursing them for purchases from New Hampshire and New England producers. Only schools participating in the National School Lunch Program can apply, and the state aims to award grants to one district in each county to support buying dairy, meat, produce, and other eligible items. The program provides a 33.3% reimbursement on food costs, with funds managed through a selection committee that ensures diverse participation across different school sizes and regions. Any leftover money after the pilot ends will return to the state's general fund, and the program will be evaluated annually to track its impact on local farms and school nutrition.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special committee to study emergency mental health services for people aged 21 and under in New Hampshire. The committee, made up of five state legislators, will review current laws, insurance coverage, and claims data to identify gaps in behavioral health care for youth. It will also gather expert testimony and assess whether insurance plans are following fairness rules regarding mental health coverage. By November 1, 2024, the group must submit a report with its findings and any suggested new laws to state leaders and the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire to submit hate crime reports to the state police at least twice a year. The reports must detail the number of offenses and arrests, and the state police will publish these statistics on their website every 45 days. A hate crime is defined as any offense where an officer suspects the crime was motivated by bias against characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The law takes effect on September 1, 2024, and applies to all police departments operating within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without charging patients any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. The law specifically mandates that these services be provided free of cost-sharing for individuals who have met their annual deductible, while also ensuring that preventive care screenings are covered even before the deductible is met. Diagnostic examinations are defined as medically necessary tests for evaluating abnormalities found during routine screenings, whereas supplemental examinations are for high-risk individuals who have no current abnormalities but need screening based on their personal or family history. Effective January 1, 2025, this legislation removes financial barriers for New Hampshire residents accessing these specific breast health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require doctors who perform abortions to send written reports to their medical facility detailing the date, location, patient's age and residence, method used, gestational age, and any related prescriptions. The medical facilities would then be responsible for compiling this data and submitting an annual report to the state Department of Health and Human Services. The collected information would be used to create statistical tables on maternal health and abortion procedures, which the department would present to the state legislature each year.

Maddy summaryHB 1632 proposed a limit on out-of-state solid waste by capping the amount accepted at facilities receiving new permits at 15 percent. The bill specifically excluded facilities that were fully permitted before the law would have taken effect or those seeking to expand existing permits. It was designed to prioritize local waste management over imported materials but was ultimately killed by the legislature in May 2024.