Sen. Sharon Carson

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specific criminal offense for assaulting or harassing sports officials, such as referees, umpires, or timers, while they are working at a sports event. It applies to anyone who commits acts of violence or threats against these officials in designated areas like the field, parking lots, or spectator zones, treating these actions with the same legal penalties as standard assault charges. Additionally, the law allows courts to ban convicted individuals from participating in sports events for a set period, up to life for repeat offenses but no more than 12 months for a first violation. The legislation is designed to protect both paid and volunteer officials who enforce rules during organized amateur or professional athletic contests.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacy benefit managers and health insurers in New Hampshire to report detailed information about pharmaceutical rebates they receive and how those funds are used. The legislation mandates that these entities submit annual reports breaking down the total value of rebates collected, the amounts distributed to insurers, and the specific reductions applied to patient costs such as deductibles and copayments. Additionally, insurers must provide actuarial certifications explaining how rebates are remitted to policyholders and detail the methods used to estimate rebate amounts for plan design purposes. These reporting requirements apply to private health plans but explicitly exclude Medicaid, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and self-funded plans like the state employee health benefit plan. The law takes effect on June 30, 2024, and repeals a previous provision that had sought to remove these rebate reporting rules.

Maddy summaryThis law authorizes the Department of Environmental Services to receive $6.5 million to improve regional drinking water infrastructure in southern New Hampshire. The funds will be used for Phase 2 of a project that increases water supply capacity by over two million gallons per day for towns affected by PFAS contamination and rising demand. Specific actions include designing necessary support projects, installing chemical treatment systems at water tanks in Derry and Salem, and raising the water level of Lake Massabesic. The money comes from general state funds and existing federal and trust funds, and the governor can access these resources starting July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Personnel Appeals Board within the Department of Administrative Services to handle specific disputes for state employees. The five-member board will be appointed by the governor and must include at least one attorney, one labor relations expert, and one public personnel professional, with no member working full-time for a state agency. The board has the authority to hear appeals regarding classification decisions and adverse actions resulting from performance evaluations, while excluding disputes over unpaid leave refusals and certain aspects of job classification. It will operate with its own budget, issue final decisions within 50 days of a hearing, and submit annual reports to the governor. The board will also have the power to subpoena witnesses, review administrative rules, and hire necessary staff to manage its operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to study the costs of providing ground ambulance services in the state and creates a reporting requirement for all ambulance providers. An independent expert will analyze financial data submitted by these providers to develop a suggested reimbursement rate schedule for commercial insurance payers, ensuring providers can cover costs while maintaining readiness for emergencies. The study, which must be completed by December 31, 2024, will also estimate how these rates might affect insurance premiums and will be funded by a special assessment on health plans. Once finished, the final report detailing these findings will be sent to state officials and legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in New Hampshire to display a poster informing employees about benefits and services available to veterans. The state labor commissioner will create and distribute this notice, which must be placed in a location accessible to all staff. The poster will list resources such as mental health support, education and training options, tax benefits, and contact information for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Employers must comply with this requirement starting 60 days after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the lead vehicle of a funeral procession to obey stop and yield signs at intersections, just like any other driver. Once the lead vehicle has legally passed through an intersection, all following vehicles in the procession may proceed without stopping. The law clarifies that while the procession has the right-of-way, it must still operate with due caution. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to all funeral escort vehicles in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the requirement for accessible voting systems to include local elections in cities and towns that currently only provide them for state elections. It legally defines an accessible voting system as any machine capable of printing a paper ballot marked with the voter's choices, ensuring compliance with federal disability laws. Under the new rules, every polling place in municipalities using official ballot systems must have at least one such machine available to allow voters with disabilities to cast their ballots privately and independently without assistance. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, aiming to ensure equal access to voting for all eligible citizens regardless of their disability status.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a two-year pilot program in New Hampshire to help school districts buy local food by reimbursing them for purchases from New Hampshire and New England producers. Only schools participating in the National School Lunch Program can apply, and the state aims to award grants to one district in each county to support buying dairy, meat, produce, and other eligible items. The program provides a 33.3% reimbursement on food costs, with funds managed through a selection committee that ensures diverse participation across different school sizes and regions. Any leftover money after the pilot ends will return to the state's general fund, and the program will be evaluated annually to track its impact on local farms and school nutrition.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for a special commission to investigate the environmental and health effects of perfluorinated chemicals in five towns to November 1, 2029. The commission, which studies pollution in the air, soil, and groundwater of Merrimack, Bedford, Londonderry, Hudson, and Litchfield, will now submit its final report and any legislative recommendations by that new date. Additionally, the bill delays the official end of the commission's work until November 1, 2029, allowing more time for analysis. These changes apply directly to the commission members and the officials who receive their reports.