Rep. Hope Damon

Maddy summaryHB 1399 appropriates $5 million from New Hampshire's Revenue Stabilization Reserve Account (the "Rainy Day Fund") to reimburse the Claremont School District for part of the costs of renovating Stevens High School in 2015. The bill specifically addresses a project completed during a building aid moratorium, which the district needed to restore accreditation and maintain eligibility for future aid. This funding directly benefits the Claremont School District and Stevens High School, covering costs the district incurred but could not recover during the moratorium. The appropriation is a one-time payment from the state's rainy day fund, effective 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1593 codifies Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 into New Hampshire law, prohibiting disability discrimination in programs receiving state or federal funding. It applies directly to state agencies, schools, healthcare providers, housing services, and other entities that receive public funds, requiring them to ensure accessibility without mandating major structural changes for small providers if alternatives exist. The bill establishes legal remedies including lawsuits, injunctions, and reasonable attorney's fees for successful claims, but excludes compensatory damages. It references the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for employment discrimination and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution urges the New Hampshire legislature to fully fund K-12 public education at the level determined by the state Supreme Court in the Claremont series of rulings. It specifically references the court's 1993 and 1997 decisions, which established that the legislature must define, cost, fund, and ensure accountability for an adequate education. The resolution calls on the legislature to comply with the court's most recent findings regarding education funding requirements. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1179 sets minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes in New Hampshire, directly affecting licensed facilities and their residents. The bill mandates 24-hour registered nurse (RN) coverage, a minimum of 0.75 RN hours per resident daily, 0.55 licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident daily, and a total of 4.1 nursing hours per resident daily. These standards apply to all nursing homes licensed under RSA 151:9 and take effect 60 days after enactment. The law establishes concrete, measurable staffing targets without specifying enforcement mechanisms or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1212 establishes a 18-member commission to review draft rules for minimum standards in public school approval and state academic standards before they are submitted to the New Hampshire state board of education or legislature. The commission includes representatives from school administrators, principals, curriculum specialists, teachers (elementary, middle, and high school), and a competency-based education expert, appointed through specific educational organizations. It requires the commission to provide written recommendations within 120 days of receiving draft rules, ensuring reviews incorporate competency-based education principles, research-based practices, and accountability measures outlined in existing law. This bill directly affects the New Hampshire Department of Education and state board of education when developing or revising school standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1823 requires all schools, school districts, and school administrative units receiving state funding to conduct annual independent audits and publicly post the reports on their websites. The audits must be submitted to the Department of Education and Department of Revenue Administration within 180 days after the fiscal year ends. If audits reveal significant financial issues, schools must submit quarterly financial reports to the Department of Education until resolved, and non-compliance may result in withheld state funding. This bill directly affects all 179 school districts and 35 charter schools in New Hampshire, mandating greater financial transparency and accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 1557 modifies how New Hampshire allocates state aid for special education costs. It lowers the threshold requiring state aid from 3.5 times the state average per-pupil expenditure to 1.5 times, making it easier for school districts to qualify for assistance. The bill removes the requirement to proportionally reduce funding if state funds are insufficient, ensuring districts receive at least 80% of their entitled aid. This change affects school districts serving students with special needs, redistributing existing funding without new state expenditures.

Maddy summaryHB 1803 prohibits students from receiving both education tax credit scholarships (under RSA 77-G:2) and education freedom account funds (under RSA 194-F:2) in the same program year. This directly affects students currently using or eligible for both programs, requiring them to choose one funding source per year. The bill also removes an additional $2,036 grant for the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) when students in either program enroll part-time, shifting tuition responsibility to families. These changes aim to prevent duplicate funding and adjust state payments for specific school enrollments.

Maddy summaryHB 1799 defines what constitutes a "constitutionally adequate education" in New Hampshire, requiring the state to fund specific resources to ensure all students have access to quality education regardless of location. The bill mandates funding for key staff (teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses), instructional materials, technology, facilities maintenance, and transportation starting in 2026. It directs school districts and the state to develop plans addressing educational outcome disparities between districts. This directly affects public school districts and the state's education budget, shifting responsibility to cover these defined costs rather than relying solely on local property taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 1729 would establish a state-managed process for New Hampshire public school districts to adopt a centralized administrative software platform. The Department of Education must develop a competitive request for proposals (RFP) for vendors to provide a cloud-based system handling finance, human resources, student data, and other school operations, with mandatory data security and FERPA compliance. Participation in the service would be strictly voluntary for districts, with the state providing technical assistance and transition support for those who choose to join. The bill includes funding to support the RFP development, stakeholder engagement, and district onboarding efforts.