Maddy summaryHB 1663 updates New Hampshire's medical privacy laws to align with the state constitution's strong protection of personal information, asserting that these state rules are stricter than federal regulations. The bill declares that all medical records belong to the patient and establishes specific limits on copying fees, while also defining key terms like "business associate" and "marketing" to clarify how health data can be shared. It further grants patients rights to receive timely information about their conditions and treatment options, and requires healthcare providers to maintain audit trails for electronic record access. Currently, the bill has been referred for an interim study by the legislature, meaning it has not yet been enacted into law.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1689 updates the rules for how state agencies handle personal identifying information within vital records. The bill clarifies that terms like "personal identifiers" include names, addresses, and social security numbers, while restricting the Department of Health and Human Services from accessing these specific details. It establishes a requirement for the Secretary of State to provide continuous electronic access to statistical mortality and natality data, excluding any restricted adoption records or court-protected files. Additionally, the legislation allows for the sharing of health-related data for research purposes under strict conditions, including federal HIPAA compliance and a mandatory review process before any release occurs.
Maddy summaryHB 1351 prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of adhesive-based rodent traps, commonly known as glue traps, within New Hampshire. The bill defines these traps as devices that capture rodents using an adhesive substance and bans their importation, transport, and possession by individuals, retailers, and exterminators. While the law generally takes effect on January 1, 2025, it includes a one-year grace period allowing retailers and licensed pest control professionals to sell or use existing inventory acquired before that date. This legislation aims to eliminate the use of these specific traps in the state, with the ban becoming fully enforceable for all new stock starting in 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's safe haven laws to allow parents to anonymously surrender infants up to 61 days old, matching the age limits of other New England states. It expands the definition of safe haven devices to include containers installed in hospitals, police stations, and fire departments, provided they are staffed around the clock and have alarms. The legislation also clarifies that parents who surrender a baby cannot be prosecuted solely based on evidence found during that surrender, while still permitting investigations into other crimes not directly linked to the act of surrendering the child.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Commission on the Interdisciplinary Primary Care Workforce to study and report on strategies for improving healthcare access in New Hampshire. The commission will examine the state's loan repayment program and health professions survey, submitting an interim report in 2026 and a final report with recommendations in 2029. It also expands the commission's membership to include a representative from Direct Primary Care Frontier and requires the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to share data with the State Office of Rural Health to support primary care initiatives. These changes aim to gather information and propose future legislation to address workforce needs in the state's healthcare system.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state insurance commissioner to issue written guidance to health care providers and insurance companies regarding the coverage of pelvic floor therapy. The commissioner must also review current insurance plans to identify any gaps in coverage and submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to state officials by November 1, 2024. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed, ensuring that these administrative steps are taken to clarify how pelvic floor therapy is covered under health insurance plans.