Sen. Kevin Avard

Maddy summarySB 121 requires insurance companies licensed in New Hampshire to provide 90 days' written notice to the state insurance department before stopping an entire line of insurance business or making significant changes to Medicare Advantage Plans. Specifically, it mandates notice for insurers ending Medicare Advantage Plan offerings in a county, modifying their contracts with Medicare, or substantially changing plan features. The law applies directly to insurance companies selling these plans in New Hampshire, ensuring the department is notified well in advance of any major service disruptions. This creates a formal process for transparency and allows time for potential mitigation efforts. The bill became law on July 15, 2025, and takes effect September 13, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 102 requires New Hampshire's Department of Education to post informational materials about type 1 diabetes and four communicable diseases (measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox) on its website. The materials must include descriptions of each condition, risk factors, warning signs, vaccination recommendations, diabetes screening guidance, and treatment plan advice. School districts must make these resources accessible to parents or guardians through digital means like their websites. The bill affects all public school districts and their families by standardizing health information access, without creating new vaccination mandates or treatment protocols. It became law on July 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 98 extends the program allowing private donations to regional career and technical education centers. This bill directly affects these centers by maintaining their access to private funding streams without altering eligibility or donation rules. The extension preserves the existing donation framework, ensuring continued support for workforce training programs. It became law on July 15, 2025, and takes effect September 13, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 151 updates New Hampshire's accessible parking rules to prevent fraud. It requires that only individuals with valid disability permits (or those transporting permit holders) may use designated parking spaces marked with the accessibility symbol. The bill significantly increases penalties for misuse: a $1,000 fine for first-time use of a counterfeit or stolen permit, rising to $1,500 for repeat offenses. It also clarifies that fines for unauthorized use of accessible spaces now start at $500 (with 50% going to the local town/city), and mandates that free parking privileges for permit holders must be used only when the permit holder is being transported to/from the parking spot. This directly affects drivers using accessible parking and local municipalities collecting enforcement fines.

Maddy summarySB 300 makes it a crime to create explicit images or videos involving minors. It directly affects individuals who produce such content, imposing criminal penalties for this specific act. The law prohibits the creation of "child intimate visual representations" and establishes legal consequences for violators. Signed into law (Chapter 0259) and effective January 1, 2026, it focuses on preventing the production of this material.

Maddy summarySB 165 revises audit requirements for consumer cooperative associations in the state, directly affecting these member-owned businesses. The bill changes the audit standard from requiring an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to allowing internal auditors to conduct annual financial reviews. This policy change simplifies compliance for co-ops while maintaining financial oversight, effective September 13, 2025. The bill passed unanimously through committees and was signed into law by the governor on July 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 236 transfers management of the Electric Assistance Program from its current administrator to the Department of Energy. This bill directly affects low-income households that receive utility bill assistance through the program. The key provision is the formal transfer of administrative authority and oversight responsibilities to the Department of Energy, streamlining program management under a single state agency. The bill became law on June 24, 2025, and takes effect August 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 358 would have allowed parents or guardians to claim religious exemptions from school and daycare vaccination requirements for children. It directly affected families seeking to opt out of immunization mandates based on religious beliefs. The bill proposed amending existing law to establish a clearer process for submitting such exemptions, replacing current requirements. The bill passed both legislative chambers in June 2025 but was vetoed by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 148 would permit state agencies and public entities to classify individuals based on biological sex in specific contexts, such as access to certain public services or facilities. It directly affects individuals interacting with state programs where sex-based distinctions are currently used, like healthcare services or gender-segregated spaces. The bill establishes a legal framework allowing such classifications without requiring additional justification, shifting from existing policies that may have prioritized gender identity. The bill passed both chambers in May 2025 but was vetoed by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.