Sen. Victoria Sullivan

Maddy summaryHB 701 allows terminally ill patients in New Hampshire to access experimental medical treatments that have not yet received full FDA approval. The bill directly affects patients with terminal illnesses who have exhausted all approved treatment options and seek unapproved drugs or devices through clinical trials or compassionate use programs. Key provisions remove state-level barriers to accessing these treatments by requiring healthcare providers to offer information about experimental options and limiting liability for providers who facilitate such access. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, after being signed by Governor Ayotte on August 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 712 restricts certain gender-affirming medical procedures for minors (including chest reconstruction, commonly referred to in medical contexts as "breast surgeries" but not the precise term used in legislation) in residential care facilities and health facilities. The bill requires facilities to obtain parental consent for these procedures and prohibits them without such consent for minors under 18. It also includes unrelated provisions requiring health care providers to collect and report abortion statistics, though this element appears misplaced in the bill's title. The law affects minors receiving care in residential facilities and medical providers operating within those settings. Note: The bill's title inaccurately describes the medical procedures; it targets gender-affirming care, not general breast surgeries.

Maddy summarySB 97 allows parents or guardians to request school transfers for their children within or outside their district. For intra-district transfers, superintendents must approve if the requested school has space; for out-of-district transfers, they must consider the student's academic, physical, personal, or social needs. If a student transfers to a school outside their district, the sending district pays tuition (which may be waived for good cause), and parents cover transportation. The bill also requires school boards to create policies for handling high demand when school capacity is limited.

Maddy summarySB 287 requires voters applying for absentee ballots in New Hampshire to verify their identity by submitting a copy of their photo ID meeting state requirements (RSA 659:13), providing a notarized signature, or presenting the ID in person to the clerk. This directly affects all voters seeking absentee ballots, ensuring they provide proof of identity before receiving a ballot. The bill mandates that no absentee ballot may be issued without one of these verification methods being satisfied. Signed into law on August 1, 2025, it takes effect September 30, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 291 expands New Hampshire's property tax exemption for religious organizations to include convents, monasteries, and their associated lands and buildings. It allows these properties - owned, used, and occupied directly for religious training or worship by recognized religious groups - to qualify for the exemption, aligning them with existing church and parish properties. The bill specifically covers properties leased for pastor housing allowances and personal property used for religious purposes. This change directly affects religious institutions operating convents or monasteries in New Hampshire that meet the state's incorporation and recognition requirements. The law became effective July 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 768 allows public school districts to contract with any nonpublic school that meets state approval standards, removing previous restrictions on such partnerships. This directly affects public school districts seeking alternative educational arrangements and approved nonpublic schools eligible to provide services. The key provision eliminates prior limitations preventing public schools from contracting with nonpublic schools for specific programs or services, such as specialized instruction. The bill became law on July 15, 2025, after passing both chambers and receiving the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 361 prohibits school districts from requiring students or staff to wear face masks as a condition of attending school. The law directly affects public and charter schools across the state by removing mandatory mask policies, though it does not prevent voluntary mask use. Key provisions ban school boards from adopting rules that mandate mask-wearing in classrooms or school facilities. The bill became law when Governor Ayotte signed it on July 15, 2025, and takes effect September 13, 2025. It does not address other health measures or mask requirements for specific health conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 374 modifies voting procedures for local tax cap adjustments in New Hampshire. It requires a 3/5 majority vote (not a simple majority) for tax cap changes to take effect in towns, cities, and school districts. The bill mandates that voting occurs via ballot after discussion, with ballots accepted for at least one hour post-discussion. These changes apply starting the next fiscal year and remain in effect until amended or rescinded. The bill directly affects local governments and school districts seeking to adjust their tax levy limits.

Maddy summaryHB 473 criminalizes exposing children to controlled substances (drugs) through various means, directly affecting children whose caregivers or others intentionally place them in such situations. The bill allows law enforcement to take children into temporary custody for immediate screening and testing when criminal exposure is suspected or confirmed. Key provisions include treating the exposure as a crime and establishing a clear process for law enforcement to secure child safety through medical evaluation. The law becomes effective January 1, 2026, after being signed by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025.