Rep. Emily Phillips

Maddy summaryHB 1402 creates a process for high school students to avoid mandatory school attendance by passing a state-developed proficiency exam. Under this bill, students who pass the test would no longer be required to attend school but could still choose to do so if they wish. The legislation also establishes that passing the exam would allow students to receive a high school diploma from either their current school district or the state. Additionally, the bill clarifies that home-schooled students can satisfy attendance laws by submitting proof of their program's completion.

Maddy summaryThis New Hampshire bill establishes a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically examining government responses, medical mandates, and information transparency. The committee consists of three representatives, one senator, and one appointee from the governor, who will meet to review federal actions, pharmaceutical interventions, and findings from other investigations. Members will receive travel reimbursement for their duties and must elect a chairperson to lead the group. The committee is required to submit its findings and any legislative recommendations to state officials and the state library by November 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1010 aims to expand access to midwifery care by preventing state rules from denying or transferring patients based on specific pregnancy factors. The bill directly affects midwives and pregnant individuals by prohibiting restrictions related to carrying multiple fetuses, fetal malpresentation, or having fewer than three prior cesarean sections. Additionally, it stops regulations from refusing midwifery services simply because a patient lives far from a hospital. If passed, the law would take effect 60 days after enactment and would require further study before becoming permanent.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires medical professionals certifying deaths in New Hampshire to include specific immunization details, such as vaccine names and dates, on death certificates for individuals who received shots in the current year or the two years prior. It also mandates that the state health department publish quarterly and annual reports detailing deaths occurring within various timeframes after vaccination, broken down by demographics and vaccine type. Additionally, the legislation establishes a process for independent, random audits of these reports by non-governmental experts to ensure data accuracy and privacy compliance. The bill applies to all deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2020, and would become effective 60 days after its passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing New Hampshire's official time zone from Eastern Standard Time to Atlantic Standard Time, effectively making daylight saving time permanent for the state. To implement this change, the legislation requires approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation, as federal law mandates that time zone changes must be adopted by a majority of neighboring states. The bill also establishes an Interstate Commission on Atlantic Standard Time to coordinate policy and collect data among member states before any final transition occurs. Although the text includes findings supporting the move based on a 2017 commission report, the bill was not recommended for future legislation after an interim study in 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1706, known as the Circumcision Transparency Act, would require health care providers in New Hampshire to obtain written informed consent from parents before performing a non-therapeutic circumcision on a child under 18. The bill mandates that providers use a specific consent form detailing the procedure's risks, lack of proven medical benefits, and available alternatives, while also prohibiting solicitation or coercion of parents. Additionally, the law would require two parental signatures for the procedure, provide an educational guide for parents who choose not to circumcise, and mandate that consent forms be retained for 25 years. Although the bill includes provisions to protect religious ceremonies and allow for tissue donation opt-ins, it was ultimately not recommended for future legislation by the state committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1683, titled the Children's Body Autonomy Act, would have restricted coverage of circumcision under New Hampshire's Medicaid plan to cases deemed medically necessary. The bill defines specific medical conditions for newborns and minors that would qualify for coverage, such as recurrent urinary tract infections, certain congenital anomalies, and specific infections or obstructions. Additionally, it requires health care providers to obtain pre-authorization before performing any covered circumcision. Although the bill included definitions for health care providers and children, it did not become law as it died on the table when the legislative session ended in October 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1297 would have required local towns to prove that any new rules restricting how people use their land directly protect community health or safety. The bill also sought to stop municipalities from banning specific housing types, building sizes, or energy technologies if they met state and federal safety standards. Additionally, it would have allowed towns to pass ordinances limiting certain business activities based on scientific evidence of their impact on residents and the environment. Although the bill aimed to give communities more power to regulate land use, it was ultimately tabled and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have prevented school districts and public schools from enforcing rules that require students or visitors to wear face coverings, such as masks, while on school property. It allows schools to keep mandatory mask policies only if they are needed for specific sports, science safety, or individualized health plans for students with disabilities. The law would have taken effect 60 days after being passed, but it was ultimately vetoed by the governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework allowing terminally ill patients to access investigational drugs, biological products, or medical devices that have not yet received FDA approval. To qualify, a patient must have a life-limiting condition with no known curative options and must obtain written informed consent from their physician, which includes a waiver of legal liability for any adverse outcomes. The law also protects doctors from license revocation or other penalties if they prescribe these unapproved treatments in good faith. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, providing a structured pathway for patients to try experimental therapies while defining the specific medical and legal requirements for participation.