Sen. Sharon Carson

Maddy summaryThis law updates regulations for physician assistants in New Hampshire by adding a specific requirement for continuing medical education for those who hold certification but choose not to maintain it. It also clarifies that physician assistants are exempt from certain licensing rules when performing their professional duties. The changes take effect on September 1, 2024, and were signed into law by the Governor in July 2024.

Maddy summaryThis New Hampshire bill reinstates the ban on selling hemp products that contain specific levels of THC, effectively reversing a previous law that had removed this restriction. The legislation directly impacts retailers and consumers by prohibiting the sale of hemp-derived items with elevated THC concentrations. It takes immediate effect upon passage, ensuring that the prohibition on these specific products is enforced starting July 3, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies to cover prosthetic devices, including specialized ones for specific activities, for children under 19 living in the state. The law ensures that these devices come with necessary materials, training, and repairs without annual dollar limits, though it allows insurers to cap the number of activity-specific devices covered per year. Coverage applies to most group and individual health plans but excludes those offered through the Small Business Health Options Program. The changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates laws regarding wastewater services by allowing water companies to charge customers outside municipal boundaries a rate up to 15 percent higher than those inside, provided the level of service remains equal. It clarifies that homeowners associations are not considered public utilities simply because they provide water or sewer services. Additionally, the legislation permits municipalities to use funds collected from sewer surcharges on external customers for specific infrastructure projects, including sewer system maintenance, capital reserves, and the expansion or replacement of natural gas lines. These changes take effect on September 1, 2024.

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 bill appropriates $672,672.99 from the education trust fund to repair and replace the ventilation and exhaust fan system at the teaching kitchen of the Wilbur H. Palmer Regional Career and Technical Education Center. The funding is specifically designated for the culinary arts program located at Alvirne High School in Hudson. The money will be used for the biennium ending June 30, 2025, and the act becomes effective on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers to continue paying health insurance premiums for emergency response and public safety workers who are appealing a denial of a workers' compensation claim based on a presumptive condition. The coverage must be maintained at the value of a single employee premium for up to 18 months while the claim is being reviewed. Eligibility for this benefit begins at the start of employment and lasts for 20 years after the worker separates from service.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire's wastewater engineering laws to clarify how the state funds sewage treatment projects and regulates professional certifications. It expands state financial support to cover engineering services and allows municipalities to receive state contributions for construction costs even without federal grants. The legislation also adjusts fees for reviewing engineering plans and renewing professional certificates, while establishing new rules for prequalifying consulting engineering firms. These changes directly affect local governments, wastewater treatment facilities, and licensed engineering professionals in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission to submit a report by November 1, 2024, to state legislative leaders and clerks. The report must examine problems related to copying, sharing, or using images from body-worn cameras worn by police. Specifically, the commission will look at how these images affect investigation sources, the privacy of suspects and officers, legal rules about sharing evidence with defendants, and public access rights under state law. The law takes effect immediately upon signing and does not change how cameras are used, but instead mandates a review of the issues surrounding the data they collect.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows minors aged 16 and older in legal custody or guardianship to open their own bank accounts with the written consent of the Department of Health and Human Services or a court order. It clarifies that these young individuals are responsible for paying all account fees and any penalties resulting from violations of banking agreements, while protecting government agencies and foster parents from financial liability. Additionally, the legislation requires that a majority of the board of directors for mutual banks and mutual holding companies reside in New Hampshire or an adjacent state. These changes aim to improve financial access for foster youth and establish residency requirements for the leadership of certain financial institutions.