Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

Maddy summaryThis bill addresses New Hampshire's healthcare workforce shortage by creating a voluntary certification program for community health workers and establishing a commission to study primary care staffing issues. It allows the state to issue certificates to individuals who complete approved education and training, enabling them to use a specific professional designation while restricting them to authorized services. The legislation also extends the reporting timeline for a commission tasked with analyzing loan repayment programs and health profession surveys. Additionally, it updates the Nurse Practice Act to permit licensed nursing assistants to obtain a certificate for medication administration after meeting experience and exam requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local municipalities to add a specific section to their land use master plans dedicated to waste reduction. The new provision requires these plans to outline strategies for lowering solid waste disposal through methods like recycling, composting, and managing hazardous or electronic waste. Communities can implement these strategies by conducting needs analyses, organizing town waste committees, seeking grant funding, and collaborating with neighboring regions. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed, giving towns time to update their existing planning documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to study the creation of a civilian corps in New Hampshire focused on clean energy, community resilience, and conservation efforts. The committee will analyze the feasibility and costs of programs designed to deploy clean energy, rebuild coastal wetlands, manage forests, and protect public lands while seeking funding that does not rely on taxpayer money. Additionally, the group will explore partnerships with educational institutions and employers to provide workforce training and career pathways for participants. The committee is required to submit its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2024, without enacting any new laws itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a voluntary certification program for doulas and lactation service providers to make their services eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid. The state's office of professional licensure and certification is tasked with creating the rules and processes for this certification, while ensuring the program includes diverse community members. The law clarifies that this new certification does not replace existing federal funding or prevent individuals already certified under other laws from working. It took effect on July 1, 2024, allowing certified providers to bill Medicaid for their specific services under separate coverage rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates zoning laws in New Hampshire to make it easier for families to operate home-based child care businesses. It allows family and group family child care to be used as an accessory to any residential property without needing a special site plan review, provided they meet state health and safety standards. Local governments must permit these facilities by right or through a conditional use permit, and providers can start operating immediately if their state permit is pending while waiting for local approval. The changes take effect 60 days after the law is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display portraits of former Senator Martha Fuller Clark and Wentworth Cheswell. It also requires that money earned from commemorative bottles sold for the American Revolution's 250th anniversary be placed into a specific trust fund. These actions aim to honor historical figures and manage funds related to a significant historical anniversary.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to study the current scope and role of veterinary technicians in New Hampshire. The committee will be composed of five state legislators and tasked with examining practice opportunities, particularly for large animal care, and assessing the value of licensure for these professionals. To inform its work, the group will gather input from various veterinary and agricultural organizations before submitting a final report with recommendations by November 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to study the costs of providing ground ambulance services in the state and creates a reporting requirement for all ambulance providers. An independent expert will analyze financial data submitted by these providers to develop a suggested reimbursement rate schedule for commercial insurance payers, ensuring providers can cover costs while maintaining readiness for emergencies. The study, which must be completed by December 31, 2024, will also estimate how these rates might affect insurance premiums and will be funded by a special assessment on health plans. Once finished, the final report detailing these findings will be sent to state officials and legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative committee to study student housing options in New Hampshire, aiming to ensure safe and affordable housing for post-secondary students. The committee, composed of one senator and three representatives, will examine existing legal definitions, the risks and benefits of a universal student housing definition, and the impacts of not having such a definition on local communities. The study must conclude within 45 days of the bill's effective date, with the committee's work officially beginning in July 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the right to appeal zoning decisions in New Hampshire by allowing property owners who directly border or are directly across a street or stream from a proposed development to file appeals, rather than limiting this right only to the original applicant. It clarifies the definition of an "abutter" to include specific distances and scenarios, such as condominiums and manufactured housing parks, while also permitting these neighbors to request a rehearing of decisions made by zoning boards or town meetings within 30 days. The legislation also mandates that officials immediately forward all relevant documents to the board when an appeal is filed and sets a 60-day period after passage before the changes take effect.