Sen. Sharon Carson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Corrections Education and Vocational Planning Group to design and oversee career and educational programs within New Hampshire state prisons. The group will include representatives from corrections, higher education, community colleges, and formerly incarcerated individuals to assess labor market needs, plan curriculum, and address barriers to reentry. Key tasks include creating credit transfer agreements with colleges, evaluating facility resources, and exploring funding options to support inmates pursuing degrees. The group is required to submit annual reports to state officials starting in December 2024 to track its progress and recommendations.

Maddy summarySB 506 updates New Hampshire laws to align the age of juveniles with 18 rather than 17, affecting how minors are treated in the justice system and child welfare settings. The bill requires that individuals under 18 be considered children for various legal definitions, including school attendance, arrest record classification, and the duration of sex offender registration. It also mandates that criminal background checks for licensing residential care facilities must include all household members aged 18 or older. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that juveniles cannot be held in county correctional facilities for unpaid fines and sets specific age limits for shelter care facilities. These changes take effect on July 30, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new class of judicial employees called magistrates to handle pre-trial release decisions and other court tasks. It authorizes the chief justice to appoint at least 15 magistrates, ensuring at least one is assigned to every county in the state. These magistrates would have the power to decide on bail, conduct arraignment hearings, and issue arrest and search warrants, with the requirement that those handling bail cases be licensed attorneys. The legislation also mandates that individuals released on bail receive information about local services for homelessness, hunger, mental health, and substance use. Additionally, the bill changes the rules for when arrested individuals must appear before a judge and allows for electronic payment of bail in both physical and remote court settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new criminal penalties for operating small unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, in violation of Federal Aviation Administration rules. It establishes that breaking FAA regulations is a misdemeanor for a first offense and a misdemeanor for subsequent offenses, while more severe actions like interfering with other aircraft or crashing them can lead to felony charges. The law also specifically bans flying drones over correctional facilities unless authorized by law enforcement and prohibits using drones equipped with weapons or devices capable of causing harm. These new rules will take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to anyone operating or possessing such aircraft.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local towns and school districts to publicly display on their websites the total amount of state funding they receive within 30 days of getting the money. It also changes vehicle inspection rules by allowing new cars bought in their model year to skip inspections for the first two years after purchase. Additionally, the legislation exempts older vehicles that are at least 20 years old from needing a certificate of title, while keeping annual safety checks for most other cars. These changes aim to increase transparency in government spending and reduce the number of inspections required for newer and classic vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legislative committee to study the Child Protection Act, focusing on definitions, harm presumptions, and reporting requirements for health care providers treating young children for sexually transmitted diseases. It also mandates that family courts explain their decisions on admitting or rejecting evidence and testimony in family proceedings. Additionally, the bill requires courts to notify parties about automatic wage garnishment for child support unless an agreement is reached and establishes a formal process for appointing parenting coordinators in high-conflict cases. These coordinators would help create parenting plans and manage disputes, with specific qualifications, training, and rules regarding their fees and liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill has two main parts: it allocates $40 million in state funds to design and construct a replacement for the New Hampshire State Prison for Men, and it establishes a system to share mental health court records with federal firearms background check databases. The prison funding is intended for architectural planning, engineering, and construction documents to build a new correctional facility. The second part, known as "Bradley's Law," allows courts and the Department of Safety to report specific mental health adjudications to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which can lead to a person being prohibited from buying or possessing firearms. Additionally, the bill creates a process for individuals to petition the court for relief from these firearm disabilities if their mental health status has improved.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state regulations to clarify the standards for military training required for specific professions and sets a deadline of January 1, 2026, for relevant boards to finalize these rules. It also strengthens child protection laws by detailing the specific information required in reports of suspected abuse or neglect and clarifying that reporters can be held criminally or civilly liable if they file false reports with malicious intent. Additionally, the legislation introduces new civil liability provisions for professionals who knowingly fail to report suspected abuse, while maintaining immunity for those who act in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new safety rules for wake surfing in New Hampshire to protect both surfers and others on the water. It prohibits wake surfing on bodies of water smaller than 50 acres and within 300 feet of shorelines, docks, or other boats. Additionally, the law bans operating a motorboat while someone is wake surfing behind it unless the boat is specifically designed for that activity. The Department of Safety is also tasked with promoting safe boating practices and educating operators on how to direct waves away from shorelines. These regulations will become effective on January 1, 2025.