Sen. Regina Birdsell

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes that all medical records held by healthcare providers or their storage vendors belong to the patient. It sets specific price caps for obtaining copies, limiting electronic records to a maximum of $6.50 and paper records to a tiered fee structure with a $50 total cap. Additionally, the law requires providers to supply requested records in their original electronic format if available and mandates that all copies be delivered within 30 days. If a provider fails to meet this deadline due to their own delays, any subsequent records must be provided for free.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, or distribution of lithium-ion batteries and electric scooters in New Hampshire unless they are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. The law requires that certified products display the laboratory's logo or name on the packaging, documentation, or the device itself, with specific exceptions for second-hand sales where such documentation is absent. Additionally, the legislation bans the assembly, reconditioning, or sale of second-use batteries intended for electric bicycles and scooters, while allowing these devices if they are registered with the state motor vehicle division. Violations of these safety standards can result in civil fines of up to $250 for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Hampshire's drug laws to impose mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of trafficking specific quantities of fentanyl class drugs. It requires a minimum of three and a half years in prison for selling five grams or more of fentanyl, and raises that minimum to seven years for sales of 28 grams or more, while also increasing the maximum possible sentence to life imprisonment for repeat offenders. The law includes exceptions for minors, people with significant mental impairments, and those with minor roles in the crime, and it takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1663 updates New Hampshire's medical privacy laws to align with the state constitution's strong protection of personal information, asserting that these state rules are stricter than federal regulations. The bill declares that all medical records belong to the patient and establishes specific limits on copying fees, while also defining key terms like "business associate" and "marketing" to clarify how health data can be shared. It further grants patients rights to receive timely information about their conditions and treatment options, and requires healthcare providers to maintain audit trails for electronic record access. Currently, the bill has been referred for an interim study by the legislature, meaning it has not yet been enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal certification process for substance use disorder treatment facilities and programs in New Hampshire, requiring them to meet specific standards set by the Department of Health and Human Services. Facilities offering services such as outpatient care, residential treatment, and intensive therapy must obtain this certification, while certain independent providers and mental health programs are exempt. The legislation creates a dedicated fund financed by certification fees to support the oversight system and mandates that the department maintain a public list of certified providers. Additionally, the bill creates an ombudsman office to investigate and resolve complaints regarding services provided by the department and its contractors. Finally, the act repeals previous definitions related to certified counselors to align with the new regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Hampshire law to criminalize the creation and sharing of fake, computer-generated sexual images of people without their permission. It directly affects individuals who produce or distribute these synthetic images by defining them as illegal when they are made to look real and intended to harass, threaten, or coerce the person depicted. The law specifically covers images that show intimate body parts or sexual acts that never actually happened, expanding current protections against nonconsensual image sharing to include digital manipulation. Effective January 1, 2025, anyone who creates or shares such false visualizations faces criminal penalties under the state's existing statutes on private sexual images.

Maddy summarySB 321 establishes a rule requiring courts to detain defendants who have failed to appear in court three or more times for serious offenses within the past three years, or twice on the current charge. Under this provision, a judge must presume that releasing such individuals would not ensure they return for their trial, though the defendant still has the right to present evidence to try to overcome this presumption. The law applies specifically to cases involving felonies, class A misdemeanors, and driving under the influence charges, both in New Hampshire and equivalent out-of-state crimes. If a defendant successfully rebuts the presumption during a bail hearing, the court may then decide whether to release them pending trial. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.