Sen. Regina Birdsell

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 establishes a legislative committee to examine how New Hampshire laws handle consent and confidentiality for adolescents and young adults seeking healthcare. The committee, composed of five legislators appointed by Senate and House leaders, will review existing rules regarding parental consent, assess current privacy protections for minors, and identify any gaps in medical care coverage. After gathering testimony from relevant experts and organizations, the group must submit its findings and any proposed legal changes to state officials by November 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires dogs, cats, and ferrets entering the state to be held for at least 48 hours at a licensed facility or a veterinarian's separate area before they can be transferred. The law allows the state veterinarian to create rules permitting littermates of certain ages to share enclosures during this holding period. Additionally, it sets limits on the daily boarding and care costs for animals that are confiscated by animal control officers. These measures aim to standardize how animals are quarantined and cared for after crossing state lines.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules and funding for the Youth Development Center settlement fund, which provides compensation to former residents who experienced abuse while in state care. It updates legal definitions to clearly specify what counts as sexual, physical, or other abuse and introduces a new category for "egregious sexual abuse" that may qualify for additional compensation. The legislation establishes an independent, neutral attorney as the administrator to oversee the claims process, while ensuring the fund remains separate and is continually funded until 2032.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new council to study how electric vehicles and their lithium-ion batteries affect first responders, the environment, building codes, and property safety. The council will include representatives from state agencies, fire organizations, police, auto dealers, and towing companies to investigate issues like fire response challenges, pollution, and code updates. Members must meet within 45 days of the law taking effect and will submit an interim report by November 2024 and a final report by November 2025. The council can ask for input from any relevant person or group and needs seven members present to make decisions.

Maddy summarySB 354 requires health insurance companies to apply money from independent charity patient assistance programs toward an enrollee's cost-sharing obligations, such as copayments and deductibles. This rule applies to group accident and health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs, but it excludes drugs that have generic or other covered alternatives available. The law also mandates that insurers receive specific details about assistance payments made on behalf of patients, while exempting high-deductible and catastrophic health plans from these requirements until the enrollee's annual deductible is met. Taking effect on January 1, 2026, the bill aims to streamline how charitable funds interact with insurance billing processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the ability of incarcerated individuals, parolees, and those convicted of violent felonies or crimes against children to change their legal names. To obtain a name change, these individuals must now prove to a probate court that the change is necessary, and they must notify relevant government agencies and the original prosecuting authority. The law also requires the prosecutor to attempt to inform the victim or the victim's family, allowing them to share their views with the judge before a decision is made. These rules apply specifically to serious offenses such as murder, assault, kidnapping, and sexual crimes, while the changes take effect on July 30, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill reestablishes a commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder among first responders in New Hampshire. The commission will consist of representatives from the state legislature, various government agencies, and organizations representing fire chiefs, police, emergency medical technicians, and mental health advocates. Its primary task is to examine ways to streamline the workers' compensation process to avoid re-traumatizing affected responders and to review standards for comfort dogs and administrative procedures. The group must hold its first meeting within 45 days of the bill's passage and submit an interim report by November 1, 2024, followed by a final report by November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "child" in child sexual abuse image laws to include images that portray a person as under 18 years old and are indistinguishable from a real child. It clarifies that these protections apply to digital images, computer-generated pictures, and modified photos where the subject appears to be a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The legislation also specifies that these rules cover various forms of visual media, such as photographs and videos, while excluding drawings, cartoons, sculptures, or paintings. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, and aim to close legal gaps regarding how such imagery is identified and prosecuted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to ensure that government agencies retain the right to install and run software on their own chosen IT infrastructure. It specifically prohibits contract terms from restricting an agency's ability to use approved systems, including those dedicated solely to that agency. The Department of Information Technology must approve the infrastructure before the agency can utilize it under these new rules. This change directly affects state agencies entering into software contracts and aims to maintain flexibility in how they manage their digital tools.