Sen. Sharon Carson

Maddy summarySB 99 establishes new funding rules for regional career and technical education programs. It requires school districts sending students to these programs (sending districts) to pay host districts (receiving districts) at least 80% of the sending district's average per-pupil cost, based on state education department data. For part-time students, payments adjust based on credit hours; full-time students use a standard per-pupil rate. The law, effective July 2025, standardizes cost-sharing for career-focused education programs across districts.

Maddy summarySB 157 modifies New Hampshire's vehicle inspection requirements for rental fleet vehicles registered under RSA 261:40-b. It requires these vehicles to undergo inspection only at the time of purchase (not annually), with a sticker indicating compliance valid until the common annual expiration date in the second year after purchase. The bill also mandates the Department of Environmental Services to submit an amendment to the state implementation plan (SIP) to the EPA for approval, which must be certified before certain provisions take effect. This change directly affects rental car companies and fleet operators enrolled in the designated registration program, streamlining inspections for their vehicles while ensuring environmental regulatory alignment.

Maddy summarySB 148 prevents individuals convicted of murder from inheriting money, property, or life insurance benefits from their victim. If convicted, the murderer automatically loses all inheritance rights, and any will, trust, or life insurance beneficiary designation naming them is canceled. The law also severs joint property ownership with the victim, converting it into equal ownership without survivorship rights. This applies to both criminal convictions and civil court findings of murder, ensuring victims' estates pass to other heirs as if the murderer predeceased them. The bill, now law in New Hampshire effective July 15, 2025, directly affects convicted murderers named in a victim’s estate plans.

Maddy summarySB 57 creates a legislative committee to study school district consolidation and special education costs. The committee, composed of appointed senators and representatives, will examine how school administrative units operate, analyze potential consolidation (including one unit per county except for large counties and specific cities), and review merger processes. It will also study roles of school leaders, staffing, and financial impacts of consolidation. This bill directly affects school administrative units, districts, and their oversight structures by initiating a formal review of these systems. The committee’s findings will inform future policy decisions but do not change current laws.

Maddy summarySB 98 extends the program allowing private donations to regional career and technical education centers. This bill directly affects these centers by maintaining their access to private funding streams without altering eligibility or donation rules. The extension preserves the existing donation framework, ensuring continued support for workforce training programs. It became law on July 15, 2025, and takes effect September 13, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 300 makes it a crime to create explicit images or videos involving minors. It directly affects individuals who produce such content, imposing criminal penalties for this specific act. The law prohibits the creation of "child intimate visual representations" and establishes legal consequences for violators. Signed into law (Chapter 0259) and effective January 1, 2026, it focuses on preventing the production of this material.

Maddy summarySB 206 requires all public school districts and chartered public schools in New Hampshire to create and implement policies banning student use of personal cell phones and electronic devices during instructional hours - from the first bell until the dismissal bell. The policy must include approved exceptions for medical needs (like insulin pumps), disabilities (per IEPs or 504 plans), or language support programs for multilingual students. Schools must develop these policies with input from parents and teachers and review them annually. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 96 requires New Hampshire school employees (like teachers) to respond in writing to parent inquiries about their child within 5 school days, answering completely and honestly where permitted by law. School districts may withhold information only if disclosure could cause abuse, neglect, or abandonment (with written documentation), but must otherwise provide full responses. This directly affects parents seeking information about their child’s education and school staff who must follow these communication rules. Violations would be treated as breaches of educator conduct standards. The bill is currently pending in committee.

Maddy summarySB 161 strengthens New Hampshire's preference for placing children in foster care within the state by requiring courts to make specific written findings before approving out-of-state placements. It mandates that out-of-state placements must offer specialized services unavailable in-state, be licensed and certified, prioritize proximity to the child's family, limit placement duration, and require approval from the Division for Children, Youth and Families director for placements outside New England. This bill directly affects children in foster care, courts making placement decisions, and child welfare agencies by changing how out-of-state placements are authorized and monitored. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 72 establishes a "Parental Bill of Rights" in New Hampshire law, directly affecting parents of minors (under 18) and public schools. The bill requires schools to provide parents with timely, accurate information about their child's education, health, discipline policies, and assessments, and grants parents specific rights to opt out of health/sex education, surveys, and certain data collection. It prohibits schools or government entities from infringing on parental rights to direct a child's upbringing, education, or health care without demonstrating a compelling state interest and using the least restrictive means. The law aims to clarify parental authority while setting specific disclosure requirements for schools.