Sen. Keith Murphy

Maddy summarySB 424 repeals the position of "northern county area industrial agent" within New Hampshire's Department of Business and Economic Affairs and authorizes the department's commissioner to reassign those responsibilities to existing staff. The bill allows the commissioner to direct departmental employees to focus on economic development in specific regions of the state, including assisting local governments and businesses. Crucially, it requires that all areas of the state be served equally according to their economic needs. This is a procedural change to departmental structure with no new funding or direct impact on citizens or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 68 requires school districts to approve requests for students to transfer to another school *within the same district* if the move is in the student's best interest, unless a valid reason exists to deny it. This directly affects parents or guardians who request such transfers, as school district leaders must grant them without delay unless specific requirements aren't met. The bill does not change the "best interest" standard but shifts the burden to the district to justify denial. It applies only to same-district placements; requests for schools outside the district remain subject to standard review processes. The bill is currently pending in committee with no active legislative progress as of the latest update.

Maddy summarySB 101 would allow parents to enroll their children in any public school within the state, regardless of their residential address. This directly affects families seeking school options beyond their neighborhood district. The bill’s key provision removes current enrollment restrictions based on geographic boundaries for public schools. The bill is currently pending, having been referred to committee but not yet passed.

Maddy summaryHB 510 would require public colleges and universities to provide clear written notices, a right to a hearing, and written explanations of decisions when disciplining students, student organizations, or faculty. Currently, institutions may use inconsistent or informal processes, but this bill standardizes due process protections for these groups. It directly affects anyone facing disciplinary action at state higher education institutions, ensuring fairer procedures before penalties like suspension or termination are applied.

Maddy summaryHB 741 would allow parents to enroll their children in any public school district within the state, regardless of the family's residence. This directly affects families with school-aged children and school districts, removing current residency requirements for enrollment. The bill's key mechanism would require districts to accept students from outside their geographic boundaries without additional fees or restrictions. The bill was introduced in March 2025 and is currently under review by education committees, with no votes taken on passage as of the latest update. It remains a proposed measure, not yet law.

Maddy summaryHB 748 would create a state-funded program allowing families in participating school districts to use public education funds for private school tuition, educational materials, or other approved learning expenses through individual "freedom accounts." It directly affects families with school-age children in districts where the program is implemented, redirecting state education funding from public schools to these private options. The bill establishes a mechanism for allocating state funds per student to these accounts, with specific eligibility rules and spending limits outlined in the legislation. The program would operate under state oversight, requiring participating schools to meet certain educational standards. The bill remains pending in committee after a majority committee recommended it with amendments.

Maddy summarySB 33, titled the "Right To Challenge Act," requires New Hampshire public school districts to establish policies by September 1, 2026, restricting materials deemed "harmful to minors" in schools. It defines such materials as those depicting nudity, sexual conduct, or sadomasochistic abuse in a way that appeals to minors' prurient interest, lacks serious value for them, and is inappropriate for their age. School boards must create complaint procedures allowing parents to submit written concerns about materials, requiring schools to investigate within 10 days and respond in writing within 15 days with their decision. The bill directly affects school districts, educators, and parents seeking to challenge materials in school settings.

Maddy summarySB 34 requires written parental consent for each new medical service (defined by a new ICD code) provided to Medicaid-enrolled students through the Medicaid to Schools program. It mandates an annual report to state lawmakers detailing the program's costs and enrollment. The bill also states the program terminates statewide if federal or state policy opposes parental control over children's medical services, or in a single school district if local policy changes. This directly affects Medicaid-enrolled students and their parents in schools participating in the program.