Sen. Kevin Avard

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $450,000 from the state's General Fund to the Department of State for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The funds are designated to maintain the Statewide Voter Registration System and to develop new features, specifically an election information portal. The money is classified as nonlapsing, meaning it remains available for use until fully spent rather than reverting to the general treasury at the end of the fiscal year. This legislation directly impacts the state budget by increasing expenditures for the Department of State while aiming to improve voter registration services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes strict standards for sexual education in New Hampshire K-12 schools, mandating that instruction be delivered exclusively by licensed nurses and requiring written parental consent before any class begins. The curriculum must cover medically accurate topics such as anatomy, hygiene, and disease prevention while explicitly prohibiting discussions on gender identity, sexual orientation, and lifestyle choices. Additionally, the law requires schools to provide parents with curriculum materials and a 14-day notice period for any proposed lessons, along with an opt-in mechanism for families who do not wish their children to participate.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Hampshire's drug laws to impose mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of trafficking specific quantities of fentanyl class drugs. It requires a minimum of three and a half years in prison for selling five grams or more of fentanyl, and raises that minimum to seven years for sales of 28 grams or more, while also increasing the maximum possible sentence to life imprisonment for repeat offenders. The law includes exceptions for minors, people with significant mental impairments, and those with minor roles in the crime, and it takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a New Hampshire Legal Tender Act that would allow gold and silver bullion, along with digital representations of these metals, to be used as legal tender for private debts and state taxes. It establishes a state-run bullion depository to securely store these metals and permits individuals and businesses to hold accounts for storing, transferring, and exchanging bullion without incurring tax liabilities on exchanges or sales. The legislation also allows taxpayers to report income in a functional currency of their choice, such as gold or silver, and requires the state to maintain detailed records of all depository transactions for at least seven years. However, the bill was ultimately not recommended for future legislation during a 2024 interim study, indicating it did not advance to become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1010 aims to expand access to midwifery care by preventing state rules from denying or transferring patients based on specific pregnancy factors. The bill directly affects midwives and pregnant individuals by prohibiting restrictions related to carrying multiple fetuses, fetal malpresentation, or having fewer than three prior cesarean sections. Additionally, it stops regulations from refusing midwifery services simply because a patient lives far from a hospital. If passed, the law would take effect 60 days after enactment and would require further study before becoming permanent.

Maddy summaryThis bill outlines rules for how the state's Public Deposit Investment Pool must manage its money, specifically requiring an investment advisor to keep at least 30 percent of funds in insured or collateralized deposits and to maintain the highest possible credit rating for the pool. It grants the state treasurer and an advisory committee the authority to select an investment advisor through a competitive process and to create detailed rules regarding disclosure, investment limits, and administrative practices. The legislation also repeals previous investment advisor obligations and sets an effective date of December 30, 2030, for the repeal provision, while other parts of the bill take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal certification process for substance use disorder treatment facilities and programs in New Hampshire, requiring them to meet specific standards set by the Department of Health and Human Services. Facilities offering services such as outpatient care, residential treatment, and intensive therapy must obtain this certification, while certain independent providers and mental health programs are exempt. The legislation creates a dedicated fund financed by certification fees to support the oversight system and mandates that the department maintain a public list of certified providers. Additionally, the bill creates an ombudsman office to investigate and resolve complaints regarding services provided by the department and its contractors. Finally, the act repeals previous definitions related to certified counselors to align with the new regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protection of Women's Sports Act, establishes rules for interscholastic and intercollegiate athletic teams in New Hampshire by categorizing them based on the biological sex listed on athletes' birth certificates. It mandates that teams designated for females be open only to students identified as female at birth, while teams for males may include students of any sex, and requires separate locker room facilities for each group. The legislation also creates a legal pathway for athletes to sue schools or organizations if they experience harm or retaliation related to these sex-based designations, though it explicitly excludes K-5 schools and intramural or club sports from its requirements.

Maddy summarySB 321 establishes a rule requiring courts to detain defendants who have failed to appear in court three or more times for serious offenses within the past three years, or twice on the current charge. Under this provision, a judge must presume that releasing such individuals would not ensure they return for their trial, though the defendant still has the right to present evidence to try to overcome this presumption. The law applies specifically to cases involving felonies, class A misdemeanors, and driving under the influence charges, both in New Hampshire and equivalent out-of-state crimes. If a defendant successfully rebuts the presumption during a bail hearing, the court may then decide whether to release them pending trial. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.