Rep. Mark Pearson

Maddy summaryHB 1702 requires pharmacies and medical facilities in New Hampshire to post a standardized notice about mifepristone (a drug used for chemical abortions) when dispensing it. The notice, displayed prominently in specific areas like waiting rooms or pharmacy counters, states that mifepristone may sometimes be reversible if the second pill hasn’t been taken, and provides a contact for resources. Noncompliance could result in a class B felony charge for providers or civil lawsuits seeking damages for patients harmed by the lack of notice. The bill directly affects pharmacies and clinics dispensing mifepristone, with no estimated state or local costs.

Maddy summaryHB 1493 requires all New Hampshire public school districts to incorporate a specific, scientifically accurate video into health education curricula. The video must demonstrate the gestational development of the heart, brain, and other vital organs during embryonic and fetal stages. This applies to all students in the health curriculum, with the requirement effective September 1, 2026. The bill mandates that the video be age-appropriate and medically verified, but does not specify which video or impose direct costs on schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1016 repeals RSA 674:32, which currently requires New Hampshire municipalities to allow manufactured housing development opportunities. This bill removes a legal mandate forcing towns and cities to permit such housing. After passage, municipalities will no longer be obligated to provide space for manufactured housing developments. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new commission to evaluate how New Hampshire supports technology-based start-up businesses. The commission will include representatives from the state legislature, the governor's office, and private industry sectors such as venture capital and tech alliances. Its main task is to assess the current business ecosystem, compare it with other states, and propose ways to improve funding, tax incentives, and job training opportunities. The group must submit its findings and legislative recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2024. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing, similar commission to prevent duplication of efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill would restrict how alcohol is packaged and marketed in New Hampshire to prevent products from appealing to minors or confusing consumers with non-alcohol items. It prohibits using cartoons, toys, or other child-friendly imagery on alcohol packaging and bans designs that mimic trademarked non-alcohol products like logos or brand sounds. Additionally, the bill requires that coupons for alcohol products clearly state they are only for adults of legal drinking age. The state liquor commission would be responsible for creating rules to enforce these new restrictions, and a specific appeal process has been established for disputes regarding these decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1005 proposes creating a new Judicial Training Coordinator position to oversee professional development for judges and court staff. The bill mandates that all new judges and non-judicial employees hired after July 1, 2025, complete an initial orientation covering court procedures, legal skills, and specific topics like ethics and implicit bias. It also establishes annual continuing education requirements, such as 24 hours for supreme and superior court justices and 12 to 16 hours for various clerks and administrative roles. Although the legislation outlines these specific training hours and responsibilities, the bill was ultimately laid on the table and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows organizations and individuals to classify people based on biological sex in specific situations without it being considered unlawful discrimination. It explicitly permits this classification in three areas: shared restrooms and locker rooms, athletic competitions where physical strength or speed is a factor, and certain correctional or involuntary commitment facilities. By adding these exceptions to the state's Law Against Discrimination, the legislation clarifies that separating individuals by biological sex in these contexts does not violate protections against discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow members of the New Hampshire General Court to join the state employee assistance program run by the Department of Health and Human Services. The costs for this participation would be covered by funds from the legislative branch rather than the individual legislators. The legislation specifies that the program's per-person fees are to be paid directly to the department by the legislative branch. Although the bill was introduced, it was ultimately laid on the table and did not become law during the 2024 session.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal preference for keeping children in New Hampshire and placing them with their siblings whenever possible, unless doing so would endanger them. It modifies custody rules for parents not charged with abuse or neglect by creating a rebuttable presumption that they are fit to care for their children, requiring the state to prove unfitness with specific evidence. The legislation also sets a clear order of preference for out-of-home placements, prioritizing relatives, community-based foster homes, and schools of origin over group or residential care. Additionally, it mandates that psychological evaluations be conducted by trauma-specialized psychologists and clarifies that firearm ownership alone does not make a home unsafe if federal and state laws are followed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes stricter rules for placing children in state care into residential facilities, prioritizing placement with relatives or in foster homes as the first options. It mandates that residential care be used only as a last resort for children aged 12 and older, unless there is a specific medical or therapeutic need, and requires all such facilities to meet new state certification standards before receiving funding. To enforce these standards, the Department of Health and Human Services will create a team to inspect and certify programs, conduct regular unannounced visits, and report quarterly on their oversight activities and spending. Additionally, the bill requires special approval from the state director before placing any child in a facility outside of New England.