Sen. Sharon Carson

Maddy summaryThis law requires the state to raise Medicaid payment rates for prosthetic and orthotic devices so they are at least 90% of the rates paid by Medicare, starting July 1, 2024. To achieve this, the state will use $620,000 in funding to adjust payments and must report its progress to a health oversight committee by November 1, 2024. An annual review will also be conducted to ensure these rates remain adequate compared to typical market costs and to close any remaining gaps between Medicaid and Medicare payments. The changes directly affect patients who need braces, hearing aids, or other medical devices and the providers who supply them.

Maddy summarySB 340 updates New Hampshire special education laws to improve communication and oversight between parents, schools, and the state. The bill allows school districts to send Individualized Education Program (IEP) notices via email unless a parent prefers mail, and it requires districts to report rejected IEPs or placements within five days so the state can promptly inform parents of available dispute resolution options. Additionally, the Office of the Advocate for Special Education gains expanded authority to review student records and complaints without public disclosure, while the Department of Education must publish an annual report detailing disability statistics, funding, and progress on compliance plans. The legislation also encourages local school districts to create and share their own alternative dispute resolution programs to help families resolve conflicts more efficiently.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's real estate laws to clarify definitions and create a new inactive licensure status for brokers and salespersons. It allows licensed individuals to place their licenses on inactive status while keeping them valid, provided they do not engage in brokerage activities or make referrals for compensation during that time. Under the new rules, inactive licensees must still renew their licenses and complete continuing education every two years but are exempt from maintaining a place of business or a surety bond. The law also specifies that a license automatically returns to active status once an inactive licensee affiliates with a broker of record. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two main requirements for New Hampshire county corrections and human rights agencies. First, it mandates that county correction superintendents require contracted behavioral health providers to use validated screening tools for mental health and substance use disorders, while also allowing licensed community providers to visit inmates to coordinate reentry services. Second, it adds a specific definition of antisemitism to the state's anti-discrimination laws, instructing enforcement authorities to use this definition when investigating claims of discrimination against Jewish individuals. The legislation includes safeguards to ensure these changes do not infringe upon First Amendment rights or alter existing evidentiary standards for proving discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's safe haven laws to allow parents to anonymously surrender infants up to 61 days old, matching the age limits of other New England states. It expands the definition of safe haven devices to include containers installed in hospitals, police stations, and fire departments, provided they are staffed around the clock and have alarms. The legislation also clarifies that parents who surrender a baby cannot be prosecuted solely based on evidence found during that surrender, while still permitting investigations into other crimes not directly linked to the act of surrendering the child.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for the Department of Environmental Services to transfer ownership of state-owned dams to local municipalities or other interested groups before removing them. Under the new rules, the department must offer the dam and its associated rights to the local municipality at least one year in advance, providing detailed information on the dam's condition and repair costs. If the municipality declines or cannot afford the necessary debt, the offer extends to associations of landowners or other public entities capable of maintaining the structure. The department may only proceed with dam removal if no party accepts the transfer, provided the dam is not in imminent danger of failure or removal does not serve a compelling environmental interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Bradley Haas Act, provides a one-time death benefit of $100,000 to the family of a New Hampshire hospital security officer who is killed while performing their duties. The legislation specifically allocates these funds to the beneficiaries of Bradley Haas, who was fatally shot at a hospital in 2023, and distributes the money according to existing state rules for law enforcement death benefits. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "police officer" for death benefit purposes to include security officers employed directly by the state of New Hampshire. This change ensures that state-employed security guards are eligible for the same financial support as other sworn law enforcement officers if they die in the line of duty.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire to add cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening to the results reported for infants who fail their newborn hearing tests. The law allows parents to choose not to have their baby undergo this specific screening. Additionally, the state must report progress on this new targeted screening program to a health oversight committee by March 1, 2025. These changes are designed to help identify CMV infections early in life, and the rules will officially begin on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a committee to examine how nonprofit organizations contract with the Department of Health and Human Services for children's services. The committee is tasked with investigating these arrangements and developing any necessary legislative recommendations. It must submit its final findings and suggestions to state leaders and the state library by November 1, 2024. This measure focuses on creating a review process rather than immediately changing existing contracts or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires horse racing operators in New Hampshire to turn over unclaimed ticket and voucher money to the state treasurer. The law mandates that any unclaimed funds remain unpaid for 12 months before being forfeited to a special state fund, while operators must submit detailed reports of these unclaimed items to the treasurer and the lottery commission. Once the money is transferred to the state, the lottery commission can issue payment to ticket holders who claim their tickets within a specific timeframe. The bill takes effect 60 days after it is passed by the legislature and signed by the governor.