Sen. Keith Murphy

Maddy summarySB 479 allows alternative treatment centers (ATCs) to operate as for-profit businesses, previously requiring them to be non-profit entities. This bill amends state law to permit ATCs organized as business corporations or limited liability companies (instead of only non-profit voluntary corporations) to sell cannabis to qualifying patients. Key provisions remove the mandatory non-profit status requirement and establish procedures for non-profit ATCs to legally convert to for-profit structures. The change directly affects ATC operators seeking to pursue commercial models while maintaining existing patient access to therapeutic cannabis.

Maddy summaryHB 1778 bars public schools in New Hampshire from teaching any approach that prioritizes personal identity factors (like race, gender, or sexual orientation) over individual merit in curriculum or policies. It requires school districts to create policies banning DEI-related curriculum, trainings, and programs, while prohibiting staff or students from being required to declare gender identity or pronouns. The law also mandates schools to promote equal opportunities for all students regardless of identity, with violations subject to civil action or educator disciplinary measures. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not provide new state funding for implementation.

Maddy summarySB 556 amends New Hampshire's solid waste management laws to include used syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of "special waste." It makes improper disposal of this waste a felony, with individuals facing a class B felony charge and organizations facing a standard felony charge. The law directly affects healthcare facilities, clinics, and any entity handling medical waste, requiring proper disposal through designated channels. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not impose direct state or local costs but may impact judicial and correctional systems.

Maddy summarySB 588 requires all municipalities served by a school district to vote on closing any elementary or high school. It mandates school boards to hold public meetings after receiving petitions from 20+ voters, with ballots asking "Shall the school district authorize the discontinuation of [school]?" A majority vote is required for closure. This applies to both single-district and cooperative school districts, repealing previous rules that allowed school boards to decide closures without voter input. The bill directly affects residents in all towns served by the school and changes how school closures are approved.

Maddy summarySB 514 prevents local legislative bodies (like town councils) from changing the wording of ballot questions that ask voters to approve raising municipal tax caps. The bill requires that when a budget would exceed the tax cap, the question must be put to a vote by ballot (not decided by the council), and the question cannot be altered by the council. A 3/5 majority vote is required for the tax cap override to take effect, with polls open for at least one hour after discussion. This applies to all existing municipal tax caps without needing new local action and takes effect 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1493 requires all New Hampshire public school districts to incorporate a specific, scientifically accurate video into health education curricula. The video must demonstrate the gestational development of the heart, brain, and other vital organs during embryonic and fetal stages. This applies to all students in the health curriculum, with the requirement effective September 1, 2026. The bill mandates that the video be age-appropriate and medically verified, but does not specify which video or impose direct costs on schools.

Maddy summarySB 579 modifies New Hampshire's school transfer rules to allow parents to request transfers to any school within their school administrative unit (SAU), not just within their immediate district. It directly affects parents or guardians seeking to move their children to another public school within the same SAU or to schools outside the SAU. Key provisions include giving superintendents or service providers authority to approve transfers based on student needs (e.g., academic or social factors) and requiring them to consider school capacity for within-SAU requests. The bill also clarifies tuition arrangements for out-of-SAU transfers and specifies that parents are responsible for transportation. This change streamlines intra-SAU transfers while maintaining existing processes for district-wide moves.

Maddy summaryHB 1615 would allow consenting adults to form legally binding private agreements, called "contract marriages," as an alternative to obtaining a state marriage license. These agreements would be governed solely by civil contract law, not family law, meaning they would not provide protections or processes related to divorce, child custody, or spousal support. Parties could optionally file a "Certificate of Contract Marriage" with the state for administrative purposes, but this filing would not create a public record or subject the agreement to family court. The bill explicitly states that contract marriages do not affect child welfare laws or change the existing requirement for a marriage license for couples seeking state-recognized marriage.

Maddy summarySB 436 updates rules for zoning board members in New Hampshire by requiring recusal whenever a member’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned. This replaces the previous standard with a broader conflict of interest rule, specifically including cases where a member previously participated in similar decisions as a voting member of another board. The bill directly affects local zoning board members who may face conflicts of interest in specific land-use cases. The key change ensures boards avoid decisions where a member’s prior involvement could undermine public trust in the process.

Maddy summaryHB 1556 increases penalties for domestic violence offenses committed in the presence of a child under 18, directly affecting perpetrators convicted under New Hampshire law (RSA 631:2-b). It raises maximum jail time for class A misdemeanors from 1 year to 18 months and adds a mandatory 30-day minimum sentence for all qualifying offenses. The bill also requires law enforcement to report child presence at domestic violence scenes and mandates police training on identifying child exposure, while clarifying that the law does not criminalize victims or impact parental fitness. Courts must consider the child’s age, psychological impact, and defendant history when sentencing.