Sen. Kevin Avard

Maddy summarySB 542 reduces the maximum number of game dates charities can use at gaming facilities from ten to seven per year. It requires each gaming facility to contract with two charitable organizations for every game date and mandates that game operators hold exactly seven annual game dates for the host community. Charities will now be limited to seven game dates per calendar year under the revised licensing rules, with 35% of daily gross revenues distributed equally to partnering charities or the host community.

Maddy summarySB 467 increases penalties for fentanyl distribution by establishing mandatory minimum prison sentences: 3.5 years for 20 grams or more and 7 years for 50 grams or more (including mixtures). It also mandates a life sentence or long prison term for distributing non-fentanyl controlled drugs that cause death. Courts may reduce these sentences if defendants meet specific conditions, such as having no recent violent felony convictions, not using violence, and completing drug treatment or education. If reduced, defendants must serve at least 3 years of probation with drug testing, treatment, community service, and a suspended prison sentence.

Maddy summarySB 410 authorizes New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to possess portions of human remains (such as tissue or bone) for training cadaver detection dogs, directly affecting law enforcement, funeral homes, and mortuaries. The bill requires written consent from next of kin or the deceased’s prior donation authorization, specifies the exact portions to be used, and mandates documentation retention. After training, all remains must be returned to a New Hampshire institution of higher education or a licensed medical waste disposal company. Agencies must also develop written policies covering consent, handling, storage, and final disposition, all to be submitted to the police standards council. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summarySB 247 allows community pharmacies to decline filling prescriptions when a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) offers reimbursement below the pharmacy’s actual drug cost, without facing network exclusion. Pharmacies must inform patients to contact their insurer for alternative pharmacy options. The bill also requires pharmacy administrative organizations (PSAOs) to share PBM contracts and payment details with pharmacies within 3 days and prohibits PSAOs from forcing pharmacies to buy drugs from specific suppliers. This applies to independent pharmacies and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1638 creates a process for healthcare providers to bypass step therapy protocols when a patient's condition requires it, directly affecting patients and providers in insurance plans that use step therapy. Step therapy typically forces patients to try less expensive medications first before coverage is provided for more expensive alternatives. The bill requires step therapy protocols to be based on updated clinical guidelines developed by expert panels and mandates that insurers must grant an override request when providers demonstrate medical necessity, including conditions like advanced cancer or serious mental illness. This establishes a clear, evidence-based pathway to avoid unnecessary treatment delays without altering existing insurance coverage rules.

Maddy summarySB 647 authorizes New Hampshire's Department of Insurance to join a cooperative group with other states to secure lower prices on prescription drugs through a discount program. The bill enables the department to form an intergovernmental agreement for this purpose, requiring approval from the governor and executive council. This would directly affect the Department of Insurance's operations and potentially reduce prescription drug costs for state residents. The program would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 431 amends New Hampshire law to require that a public school teacher must have intentionally or knowingly taught discriminatory content for it to violate the prohibition on teaching discrimination. This change adds a mental state requirement, meaning accidental or unintentional teaching of discriminatory material would not be considered a violation. The bill applies to all public schools in New Hampshire and directly affects teachers and students by clarifying when the prohibition triggers. The key mechanism is modifying the existing law to specify that the teaching must be done with intent or knowledge of its discriminatory nature.

Maddy summaryHB 1653 requires freestanding hospital emergency facilities (FHEFs) to allow patients receiving emergency care to choose their transfer destination hospital, rather than being limited to the parent hospital that owns or operates the FHEF. The bill mandates that FHEFs provide this choice when a transfer is medically necessary and the selected hospital can treat the patient's condition, while prohibiting practices like conditioning treatment on transfers to affiliated hospitals or steering patients toward the parent facility. It also requires FHEFs to document the patient's transfer preference and forbids exclusive contracts with emergency medical services that restrict transfer options. These provisions aim to protect patient autonomy, prevent anti-competitive behavior, and ensure continuity of care during emergency transfers.

Maddy summarySB 501 authorizes physicians, physician associates, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to order seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency at New Hampshire hospitals and designated facilities. It modifies state law (RSA 135-C:57) to explicitly allow these healthcare providers to implement such measures without patient consent when a safety emergency occurs. The bill specifically applies to situations where immediate action is needed to protect a patient or others from harm. This change clarifies existing procedures for emergency interventions in healthcare settings.

Maddy summarySB 268 amends New Hampshire's anti-discrimination law to permit classification by biological sex in three specific settings: restrooms/locker rooms, athletic competitions where physical strength is a factor, and detention facilities. It clarifies that such classification does not constitute unlawful discrimination under state law. The bill directly affects public and private entities operating these facilities and events, requiring them to use biological sex instead of gender identity in these limited contexts. The law aims to protect privacy and physical safety in these settings, as stated in the bill's legislative findings.