Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two main requirements for New Hampshire county corrections and human rights agencies. First, it mandates that county correction superintendents require contracted behavioral health providers to use validated screening tools for mental health and substance use disorders, while also allowing licensed community providers to visit inmates to coordinate reentry services. Second, it adds a specific definition of antisemitism to the state's anti-discrimination laws, instructing enforcement authorities to use this definition when investigating claims of discrimination against Jewish individuals. The legislation includes safeguards to ensure these changes do not infringe upon First Amendment rights or alter existing evidentiary standards for proving discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New Hampshire's child care scholarship program to families where at least one parent is a verified child care professional working at a licensed center. To qualify, the household must have an income at or below the local median, and the child care professional must work at least 25 hours per week at a certified facility. The legislation appropriates $1.1 million to fund these scholarships and establish a temporary project running from January to June 2025 to assess how the expansion helps recruit and retain child care staff. The state Department of Health and Human Services will manage the program and submit a final report by November 2025 detailing the number of new participants and recommendations for future funding.

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits individuals, corporations, and political committees from distributing artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes of candidates within 90 days of an election unless they include a clear disclosure stating the media was manipulated. The required label must specify whether the content is an image, video, or audio and must be displayed prominently for the entire duration of the media or read aloud at regular intervals. Exceptions exist for bona fide news reports that acknowledge the material's questionable authenticity, interactive computer service providers, and satire or parody that does not rely on AI. Candidates whose images are used in deceptive deepfakes can seek legal relief, including injunctions to stop publication and financial damages against the creator. The bill took effect on August 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Hampshire's Department of Energy to create new rules for customer-owned generators connecting to the state's electric grid. The proposed regulations will establish clear procedures for eligibility, engineering standards, review timelines, and cost responsibilities, aiming to make the process more predictable and aligned with national best practices. The department must provide regular updates to legislative committees and submit the draft rules for final review within 15 months of the bill's effective date. Existing laws governing these connections will remain in place until the new rules are officially adopted.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a faster approval process for modifying existing energy facilities, such as adding battery storage or changing fuel types, without requiring a full new siting review. To qualify for this expedited track, the facility must already be approved, connected to the grid, and located on the same land, while the changes must improve health and safety and stay within current grid capacity limits. The process requires state agencies to complete their reviews within 90 days and mandates a 30-day deadline for the site evaluation committee to determine if an application is complete. Local communities are still informed through public notices and sessions, ensuring that municipal concerns are addressed alongside the streamlined state procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of medical professionals in New Hampshire who can certify patients for the state's therapeutic cannabis program. It allows physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to issue certifications if they hold the necessary federal licenses to prescribe controlled substances, and it removes the requirement for a pediatrician's signature when certifying minors, instead requiring certification from two pediatric care providers. The law also creates a new category for any other licensed New Hampshire provider who can prescribe drugs and has DEA registration, provided they are primarily responsible for the patient's care. These changes aim to increase access to medical cannabis by broadening the types of healthcare workers eligible to recommend it.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to issue most air pollution control permits within 120 days of receiving a complete application, unless the applicant agrees to a longer timeline. It mandates that the department publish public notice and offer a hearing opportunity before acting on permit applications, except for sources deemed to have an insignificant impact on air quality. Additionally, the law establishes an annual reporting requirement where the department must submit written reports to state legislative committees by February 28 each year, detailing the number of applications received, permits granted or denied, and cases pending longer than 120 days. These changes directly affect businesses and individuals seeking air permits and increase transparency regarding the permitting process.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Hampshire Vaccine Association to manage the state's financial liability for childhood vaccines and respiratory syncytial virus treatments. It creates a new funding mechanism where health insurance companies and other assessable entities must pay an annual assessment to cover these costs for children under 19. The law also requires the association to set aside up to 10 percent of anticipated costs as a reserve fund for unexpected expenses and ensures these payments are treated as high-priority debts if an insurer faces financial trouble.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $2.5 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to increase payment rates for shelter programs. The funds are intended to be used first for any available federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act, with any remaining balance coming from general state funds. Recipients of this money must prioritize services for veterans and are prohibited from assisting individuals who are not legally present in the United States. Additionally, organizations receiving these funds must provide financial projections and ongoing statements to demonstrate their financial stability.