Sen. Becky Whitley

Maddy summaryThis law requires the state to raise Medicaid payment rates for prosthetic and orthotic devices so they are at least 90% of the rates paid by Medicare, starting July 1, 2024. To achieve this, the state will use $620,000 in funding to adjust payments and must report its progress to a health oversight committee by November 1, 2024. An annual review will also be conducted to ensure these rates remain adequate compared to typical market costs and to close any remaining gaps between Medicaid and Medicare payments. The changes directly affect patients who need braces, hearing aids, or other medical devices and the providers who supply them.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two main requirements for New Hampshire county corrections and human rights agencies. First, it mandates that county correction superintendents require contracted behavioral health providers to use validated screening tools for mental health and substance use disorders, while also allowing licensed community providers to visit inmates to coordinate reentry services. Second, it adds a specific definition of antisemitism to the state's anti-discrimination laws, instructing enforcement authorities to use this definition when investigating claims of discrimination against Jewish individuals. The legislation includes safeguards to ensure these changes do not infringe upon First Amendment rights or alter existing evidentiary standards for proving discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New Hampshire's child care scholarship program to families where at least one parent is a verified child care professional working at a licensed center. To qualify, the household must have an income at or below the local median, and the child care professional must work at least 25 hours per week at a certified facility. The legislation appropriates $1.1 million to fund these scholarships and establish a temporary project running from January to June 2025 to assess how the expansion helps recruit and retain child care staff. The state Department of Health and Human Services will manage the program and submit a final report by November 2025 detailing the number of new participants and recommendations for future funding.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits individuals, corporations, and political committees from distributing artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes of candidates within 90 days of an election unless they include a clear disclosure stating the media was manipulated. The required label must specify whether the content is an image, video, or audio and must be displayed prominently for the entire duration of the media or read aloud at regular intervals. Exceptions exist for bona fide news reports that acknowledge the material's questionable authenticity, interactive computer service providers, and satire or parody that does not rely on AI. Candidates whose images are used in deceptive deepfakes can seek legal relief, including injunctions to stop publication and financial damages against the creator. The bill took effect on August 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of medical professionals in New Hampshire who can certify patients for the state's therapeutic cannabis program. It allows physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to issue certifications if they hold the necessary federal licenses to prescribe controlled substances, and it removes the requirement for a pediatrician's signature when certifying minors, instead requiring certification from two pediatric care providers. The law also creates a new category for any other licensed New Hampshire provider who can prescribe drugs and has DEA registration, provided they are primarily responsible for the patient's care. These changes aim to increase access to medical cannabis by broadening the types of healthcare workers eligible to recommend it.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Bradley Haas Act, provides a one-time death benefit of $100,000 to the family of a New Hampshire hospital security officer who is killed while performing their duties. The legislation specifically allocates these funds to the beneficiaries of Bradley Haas, who was fatally shot at a hospital in 2023, and distributes the money according to existing state rules for law enforcement death benefits. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "police officer" for death benefit purposes to include security officers employed directly by the state of New Hampshire. This change ensures that state-employed security guards are eligible for the same financial support as other sworn law enforcement officers if they die in the line of duty.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Hampshire Vaccine Association to manage the state's financial liability for childhood vaccines and respiratory syncytial virus treatments. It creates a new funding mechanism where health insurance companies and other assessable entities must pay an annual assessment to cover these costs for children under 19. The law also requires the association to set aside up to 10 percent of anticipated costs as a reserve fund for unexpected expenses and ensures these payments are treated as high-priority debts if an insurer faces financial trouble.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $2.5 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to increase payment rates for shelter programs. The funds are intended to be used first for any available federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act, with any remaining balance coming from general state funds. Recipients of this money must prioritize services for veterans and are prohibited from assisting individuals who are not legally present in the United States. Additionally, organizations receiving these funds must provide financial projections and ongoing statements to demonstrate their financial stability.

Maddy summaryThis bill addresses New Hampshire's healthcare workforce shortage by creating a voluntary certification program for community health workers and establishing a commission to study primary care staffing issues. It allows the state to issue certificates to individuals who complete approved education and training, enabling them to use a specific professional designation while restricting them to authorized services. The legislation also extends the reporting timeline for a commission tasked with analyzing loan repayment programs and health profession surveys. Additionally, it updates the Nurse Practice Act to permit licensed nursing assistants to obtain a certificate for medication administration after meeting experience and exam requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands legal representation for children involved in New Hampshire child protection cases by requiring courts to appoint attorneys for specific vulnerable groups. The law mandates that a lawyer be assigned to represent the expressed interests of any child placed in a group home, child care institution, or state-operated residential treatment program, while also allowing counsel for children whose legal needs conflict with the recommendations of their existing advocates. To manage the transition, the legislation includes a phased implementation schedule that rolls out these appointments based on the child's age and the location of their placement, with full coverage targeted for July 2026. Additionally, appointed attorneys are granted specific rights to access the child's medical, educational, and psychological records to effectively advocate on their behalf.