Sen. Sharon Carson

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum amount of money that can be awarded to surviving spouses and children in wrongful death cases involving loss of companionship and family relationships. Previously capped at $150,000 for spouses and $50,000 for children, the new limits are set at $500,000 and $300,000 respectively. The law allows courts to consider these damages alongside other losses like pain and suffering, while still applying rules that reduce payouts if the deceased or the claimant was partially at fault. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to lawsuits filed in probate courts regarding decedents' estates.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to share data for verifying the licenses of Medicaid providers. By matching provider names with their social security or taxpayer identification numbers, the two agencies can confirm that doctors and other healthcare professionals currently hold valid state licenses before they deliver services to Medicaid patients. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and establishes a formal process for these agencies to cross-reference their records to ensure provider eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to offer free early cancer screening tests to active and retired firefighters in New Hampshire. The state will provide $5 million to cover costs for optional screenings that may include blood tests, ultrasounds, and lung CT scans, with a preference for vendors capable of detecting multiple cancer types. A committee of firefighter representatives and officials will create a plan to organize these screenings, track results, and report findings to the legislature after 12 and 24 months. Additionally, firefighters who paid for their own screenings after January 1, 2024, may receive reimbursement of up to $1,300. The program is designed to run for up to two years starting July 1, 2024, with all personal data kept confidential.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits healthcare providers from charging patients more than their insurance plan requires for emergency services and certain non-emergency care received at participating facilities. It specifically bans balance billing when a patient receives emergency treatment at an out-of-network hospital or sees an out-of-network doctor, ensuring patients only pay their standard copay or deductible. For non-emergency services at in-network hospitals, the ban applies unless the provider follows specific notice and consent rules to inform the patient about costs beforehand. The legislation also establishes a dispute resolution process to determine fair payment amounts when providers and insurers disagree on costs and adds balance billing violations to the list of unlawful acts under state consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires applicants seeking permits for solid waste management facilities in New Hampshire to undergo criminal background checks. Under the new rules, the Department of Environmental Services can request that the Attorney General investigate the criminal records and performance history of the applicant, its officers, directors, and any individuals with managerial or decision-making authority. The cost of these investigations will be paid by the facility applicants rather than the state. This change aims to ensure that those responsible for managing solid waste operations have no disqualifying criminal history before a permit is granted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to examine how New Hampshire laws handle consent and confidentiality for adolescents and young adults seeking healthcare. The committee, composed of five legislators appointed by Senate and House leaders, will review existing rules regarding parental consent, assess current privacy protections for minors, and identify any gaps in medical care coverage. After gathering testimony from relevant experts and organizations, the group must submit its findings and any proposed legal changes to state officials by November 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis law allows non-lawyer paraprofessionals to provide legal services in New Hampshire courts, removing previous restrictions that limited their practice to specific judicial settings. It establishes a pilot program that begins on January 1, 2030, during which the state Supreme Court must submit interim and final reports to legislative leaders assessing how well the program works. The legislation also sets the effective date for these changes to start immediately upon signing, ensuring the new rules are in place before the pilot program commences.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definition of New Hampshire's state fire code and officially ratifies amendments approved by the state board of fire control as of September 20, 2023. It changes the required edition of the National Fire Protection Association codes from 2018 to 2021 for both the Life Safety Code and the Uniform Fire Code. The law ensures that any other national standards referenced within these codes are also included unless specifically amended by the state board. These changes apply to all individuals and entities subject to the state fire code, including building owners, managers, and safety inspectors. The new requirements will become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of Route 111 in Hudson as the Senator Robert E. Clegg Jr. Memorial Highway to honor the late legislator. It requires the Department of Transportation to install a memorial marker in the right-of-way and allows the department to direct the design and placement of any associated signage. The legislation explicitly states that the costs for creating and maintaining these markers will not be funded by the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated administrative fund to cover the costs of running New Hampshire's Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings account program, which helps individuals with disabilities save money for qualified expenses. The fund will be financed through fees charged to participants and by accepting cash gifts, grants, and donations, ensuring that no money from the state's general budget is used for these expenses. State officials will manage the program and use the collected funds to pay for necessary administrative and promotional activities.