Sen. Victoria Sullivan

Maddy summarySB 639 establishes a committee in New Hampshire to study the health and safety impacts of Red Dye 40 and other food additives (like brominated vegetable oil, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide) in products sold locally. The committee, composed of one senator, three state representatives, and a public health expert, will review scientific evidence, examine other states' policies, and consult with health departments and experts by November 1, 2026. It will assess whether restrictions, labeling requirements, or phase-outs of certain additives might be appropriate for New Hampshire consumers, schools, and businesses. This bill does not enact new laws but aims to inform future policy decisions through a formal study.

Maddy summarySB 508 requires all grounds for appealing zoning board decisions to be stated in the initial appeal notice, directly affecting applicants, municipalities, and planning boards. It adds a new provision mandating that cities and towns must stamp and accept revised zoning plans within 3 business days of submission, provided the revisions address specific comments from the initial review. The bill also limits applicants to one revision round unless original comments were unaddressed, preventing repeated requests for changes beyond the initial review conditions. These changes aim to streamline the zoning approval process by setting clear timelines and revision limits. The bill applies to all municipalities in New Hampshire with zoning boards of adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students in New Hampshire public schools and camps to use over-the-counter sunscreen without a doctor's note or prescription. School and camp staff may assist with application upon parental permission, and the law requires schools to implement age-appropriate skin cancer prevention education covering UV risks and protective measures like sunscreen and sun-protective clothing (e.g., hats). It also protects staff from liability when following these guidelines, addressing current barriers where some schools prohibited sunscreen due to "medication bans."

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (CACR 12) would require a two-thirds vote in both the New Hampshire Senate and House of Representatives to pass new broad-based taxes, such as income, sales, or capital gains taxes. It directly affects the legislative process for enacting new taxes that broadly impact many residents or businesses, not existing tax laws. The key mechanism is changing the constitutional requirement for such taxes from a simple majority to a supermajority vote. If approved by voters in 2026, this would apply to all new broad-based tax legislation moving forward.

Maddy summarySB 513 requires school districts and chartered public schools to hire an owner's project manager (OPM) before submitting applications for school building aid grants, rather than after. This applies specifically to construction, renovation, or reconstruction projects costing $1.25 million or more, unless the commissioner grants a waiver. The bill mandates that the OPM must carry specific insurance coverage and sets requirements for the state board to establish qualification rules. This change shifts the timing of OPM engagement from after application submission to the application phase itself.

Maddy summarySB 435 removes the requirement that property owners must prove an unusual hardship to obtain a zoning variance from a local zoning board. This directly affects homeowners, developers, and businesses seeking to modify land use under current zoning rules, as well as the zoning boards reviewing these requests. The bill repeals two specific sections of state law (RSA 674:33, I(a)(2)(E) and I(b)) that previously mandated hardship assessments for variances. The change simplifies the process by allowing boards to grant variances without evaluating hardship, effective 60 days after passage.

Maddy summaryHB 1270 clarifies the definition of part-time teachers in New Hampshire public schools. It specifies that part-time teachers (working up to 20 hours weekly) do not need state teaching credentials if they are affiliated with a NH university or community college, have subject-area expertise verified by a school leader, and pass criminal history checks. The bill also requires part-time teachers to follow the state's educator ethics code and bars those with revoked credentials from teaching under this section. This directly affects schools hiring part-time educators, particularly those with professional experience but without traditional teaching licenses.

Maddy summarySB 412 allows courts to continue handling violations of conditional release conditions for two groups: minors found delinquent (who broke laws) and children in need of services (due to family or safety concerns). The bill explicitly permits courts to retain jurisdiction over these cases as long as violations are reported during the release period, rather than requiring immediate action. This change clarifies that courts can address breaches of conditions like curfews or school attendance throughout the entire release term. It directly affects juvenile court proceedings for these minors and the judges overseeing their cases. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1378 would require healthcare providers to give parents or legal guardians full access to their minor child's electronic medical records (including online patient portals), except in three specific cases: 1) when the minor can legally consent to treatment without parents (e.g., certain reproductive or mental health services), 2) when a protective order or court ruling prohibits access, or 3) when a provider documents in writing that disclosure could cause abuse or neglect. This bill directly affects parents, guardians, and healthcare providers by changing how medical records are shared. It aims to support parental involvement in children’s healthcare decisions while preserving existing legal protections for minors in sensitive situations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1299 permits public and private entities in New Hampshire to separate individuals by biological sex in three specific settings: multi-user facilities (like bathrooms and locker rooms), athletic competitions where biological males typically have a competitive advantage, and correctional or treatment facilities. The bill defines "biological sex" as the sex listed on an individual’s birth certificate issued near birth. It explicitly states that these sex-based separations do not constitute discrimination under state law. The bill amends New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination statute (RSA 354-A) to create these limited exceptions, affecting how facilities and events are operated in those contexts.