Sen. Shannon Chandley

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new definitions and rules for prior authorization processes used by health insurance carriers and utilization review entities in New Hampshire. It requires these organizations to create written clinical review criteria based on current medical standards and to update them at least every two years with input from practicing providers. The law mandates that prior authorization requirements be clearly published on carrier websites in plain language and that providers receive at least 60 days' notice before any new restrictions take effect. Additionally, the bill ensures that medical necessity decisions are made by qualified health care providers under the direction of a licensed medical director.

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 employers to continue paying health insurance premiums for emergency response and public safety workers who are appealing a denial of a workers' compensation claim based on a presumptive condition. The coverage must be maintained at the value of a single employee premium for up to 18 months while the claim is being reviewed. Eligibility for this benefit begins at the start of employment and lasts for 20 years after the worker separates from service.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for inspecting state dams and creates a new committee to study how to better fund their upkeep. It requires the Department of Environmental Services to regularly inspect dams that could threaten public safety and sets specific conditions under which a dam previously classified as safe must be re-evaluated. The legislation also directs that money earned from leasing or selling state dams be used to pay off existing debt and repair other dams, while establishing a committee of legislators to review current funding methods and propose new solutions by November 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to investigate how pharmacy benefit managers influence the cost, administration, and distribution of prescription drugs in New Hampshire. The committee, composed of one senator and three representatives, will examine specific issues such as the impact of clawbacks, steering practices toward mail-order pharmacies, and the role of plan design in consumer pricing. By soliciting testimony from relevant experts and entities, the group aims to understand these operational effects and determine if new oversight measures could lower drug costs. The committee is required to submit its findings and any legislative recommendations to state officials and the governor by November 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the lead poisoning prevention and treatment act of 2024, requires health insurance providers in the state to cover the costs of blood lead testing for residents. The law applies to both individual and group health insurance plans and mandates that these tests be covered without higher co-payments, deductibles, or coinsurance compared to other similar medical benefits. Additionally, the coverage includes any necessary follow-up testing required when initial results show elevated lead levels or are inconclusive. The legislation takes effect on September 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies unemployment benefit rules to allow individuals working from home to remain eligible for benefits, provided they can find suitable work within their residence. Under the new provisions, a person is no longer disqualified for not being available for work outside their home unless there is a reasonable expectation of substantial employment opportunities available inside the home. The commissioner of the Department of Employment Services is tasked with creating specific rules to determine what constitutes a reasonable expectation of such work. This change directly affects unemployed workers who are currently working remotely or seeking remote positions while collecting unemployment insurance. The legislation takes effect immediately upon signing.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Matthew Brown Act, requires public schools and charter schools in New Hampshire to print the phone number for the National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline on student identification cards. The law applies to cards issued for the first time or replaced after the bill takes effect, ensuring that students in grades 6 through 12 have immediate access to eating disorder support resources. Schools must also verify annually that the helpline number on these cards is accurate and up to date before each new school year. The legislation aims to integrate mental health resources directly into the daily materials students carry, rather than relying on them to find help information elsewhere.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires applicants seeking permits for solid waste management facilities in New Hampshire to undergo criminal background checks. Under the new rules, the Department of Environmental Services can request that the Attorney General investigate the criminal records and performance history of the applicant, its officers, directors, and any individuals with managerial or decision-making authority. The cost of these investigations will be paid by the facility applicants rather than the state. This change aims to ensure that those responsible for managing solid waste operations have no disqualifying criminal history before a permit is granted.

Maddy summarySB 354 requires health insurance companies to apply money from independent charity patient assistance programs toward an enrollee's cost-sharing obligations, such as copayments and deductibles. This rule applies to group accident and health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs, but it excludes drugs that have generic or other covered alternatives available. The law also mandates that insurers receive specific details about assistance payments made on behalf of patients, while exempting high-deductible and catastrophic health plans from these requirements until the enrollee's annual deductible is met. Taking effect on January 1, 2026, the bill aims to streamline how charitable funds interact with insurance billing processes.