Sen. Donna Soucy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers to continue paying health insurance premiums for emergency response and public safety workers who are appealing a denial of a workers' compensation claim based on a presumptive condition. The coverage must be maintained at the value of a single employee premium for up to 18 months while the claim is being reviewed. Eligibility for this benefit begins at the start of employment and lasts for 20 years after the worker separates from service.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for inspecting state dams and creates a new committee to study how to better fund their upkeep. It requires the Department of Environmental Services to regularly inspect dams that could threaten public safety and sets specific conditions under which a dam previously classified as safe must be re-evaluated. The legislation also directs that money earned from leasing or selling state dams be used to pay off existing debt and repair other dams, while establishing a committee of legislators to review current funding methods and propose new solutions by November 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to investigate how pharmacy benefit managers influence the cost, administration, and distribution of prescription drugs in New Hampshire. The committee, composed of one senator and three representatives, will examine specific issues such as the impact of clawbacks, steering practices toward mail-order pharmacies, and the role of plan design in consumer pricing. By soliciting testimony from relevant experts and entities, the group aims to understand these operational effects and determine if new oversight measures could lower drug costs. The committee is required to submit its findings and any legislative recommendations to state officials and the governor by November 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum amount of money that can be awarded to surviving spouses and children in wrongful death cases involving loss of companionship and family relationships. Previously capped at $150,000 for spouses and $50,000 for children, the new limits are set at $500,000 and $300,000 respectively. The law allows courts to consider these damages alongside other losses like pain and suffering, while still applying rules that reduce payouts if the deceased or the claimant was partially at fault. These changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to lawsuits filed in probate courts regarding decedents' estates.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to share data for verifying the licenses of Medicaid providers. By matching provider names with their social security or taxpayer identification numbers, the two agencies can confirm that doctors and other healthcare professionals currently hold valid state licenses before they deliver services to Medicaid patients. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and establishes a formal process for these agencies to cross-reference their records to ensure provider eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the lead poisoning prevention and treatment act of 2024, requires health insurance providers in the state to cover the costs of blood lead testing for residents. The law applies to both individual and group health insurance plans and mandates that these tests be covered without higher co-payments, deductibles, or coinsurance compared to other similar medical benefits. Additionally, the coverage includes any necessary follow-up testing required when initial results show elevated lead levels or are inconclusive. The legislation takes effect on September 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to offer free early cancer screening tests to active and retired firefighters in New Hampshire. The state will provide $5 million to cover costs for optional screenings that may include blood tests, ultrasounds, and lung CT scans, with a preference for vendors capable of detecting multiple cancer types. A committee of firefighter representatives and officials will create a plan to organize these screenings, track results, and report findings to the legislature after 12 and 24 months. Additionally, firefighters who paid for their own screenings after January 1, 2024, may receive reimbursement of up to $1,300. The program is designed to run for up to two years starting July 1, 2024, with all personal data kept confidential.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies unemployment benefit rules to allow individuals working from home to remain eligible for benefits, provided they can find suitable work within their residence. Under the new provisions, a person is no longer disqualified for not being available for work outside their home unless there is a reasonable expectation of substantial employment opportunities available inside the home. The commissioner of the Department of Employment Services is tasked with creating specific rules to determine what constitutes a reasonable expectation of such work. This change directly affects unemployed workers who are currently working remotely or seeking remote positions while collecting unemployment insurance. The legislation takes effect immediately upon signing.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of a school transportation vehicle to include private passenger cars used by contracted companies to transport students to public and private schools. It allows school districts and private schools to hire these providers, provided the vehicles are approved by the Department of Safety and driven by certified school bus operators. The legislation also requires stricter background checks for drivers, including criminal history reviews, and mandates that all drivers maintain specific qualification files accessible to the state department. Additionally, the state director gains the authority to inspect these vehicles before they are used to ensure they are fit for transporting children.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated administrative fund to cover the costs of running New Hampshire's Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings account program, which helps individuals with disabilities save money for qualified expenses. The fund will be financed through fees charged to participants and by accepting cash gifts, grants, and donations, ensuring that no money from the state's general budget is used for these expenses. State officials will manage the program and use the collected funds to pay for necessary administrative and promotional activities.