Sen. Cindy Rosenwald

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an exemption for out-of-state doctors who treat patients in New Hampshire, allowing them to practice there without full state licensure. To qualify, the doctor must maintain an active relationship with the patient in their home state and perform in-person check-ups at least once a year, with the frequency adjusted based on the patient's specific medical needs. The law applies specifically to physicians licensed elsewhere who are providing care to New Hampshire residents under these established conditions.

Maddy summaryThis New Hampshire bill prohibits health insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and other payers from treating entities differently because they participate in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. Specifically, the law forbids these payers from imposing stricter network rules or lower reimbursement rates for drugs covered under the program compared to those offered to other providers. The measure directly affects hospitals and clinics that use the 340B program to purchase discounted medications, ensuring they face the same terms as other healthcare entities. By banning discrimination based on this specific federal participation, the bill aims to maintain equal access to reimbursement and network participation for all covered entities in the state.

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 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 amends state laws governing the licensing of residential care and health facilities in New Hampshire. It specifically allows a pediatric intermediate care facility that was established before July 1, 2023, to accept two additional residents beyond its current licensed capacity. This temporary authorization remains in effect until June 30, 2026, providing the facility with a limited extension to house more children. The change applies only to this specific type of facility and does not alter the general moratorium on increasing capacity for other nursing or rehabilitation homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of a school transportation vehicle to include private passenger cars used by contracted companies to transport students to public and private schools. It allows school districts and private schools to hire these providers, provided the vehicles are approved by the Department of Safety and driven by certified school bus operators. The legislation also requires stricter background checks for drivers, including criminal history reviews, and mandates that all drivers maintain specific qualification files accessible to the state department. Additionally, the state director gains the authority to inspect these vehicles before they are used to ensure they are fit for transporting children.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules and funding for the Youth Development Center settlement fund, which provides compensation to former residents who experienced abuse while in state care. It updates legal definitions to clearly specify what counts as sexual, physical, or other abuse and introduces a new category for "egregious sexual abuse" that may qualify for additional compensation. The legislation establishes an independent, neutral attorney as the administrator to oversee the claims process, while ensuring the fund remains separate and is continually funded until 2032.