Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Corrections Education and Vocational Planning Group to design and oversee career and educational programs within New Hampshire state prisons. The group will include representatives from corrections, higher education, community colleges, and formerly incarcerated individuals to assess labor market needs, plan curriculum, and address barriers to reentry. Key tasks include creating credit transfer agreements with colleges, evaluating facility resources, and exploring funding options to support inmates pursuing degrees. The group is required to submit annual reports to state officials starting in December 2024 to track its progress and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands legal liability for PFAS contamination by establishing strict liability rules that require owners or operators of PFAS facilities to cover state cleanup costs and provide safe drinking water to affected property owners. It defines PFAS and related terms to clarify which facilities are subject to these rules while exempting public water systems and wastewater treatment plants from certain provisions. Additionally, the bill modifies tenancy laws to require landlords of leases lasting six months or longer to give tenants at least 30 days' written notice before a lease expires and is not renewed. These changes aim to streamline the process for holding polluters accountable and ensuring residents have access to clean water without needing to prove negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state regulations to clarify the standards for military training required for specific professions and sets a deadline of January 1, 2026, for relevant boards to finalize these rules. It also strengthens child protection laws by detailing the specific information required in reports of suspected abuse or neglect and clarifying that reporters can be held criminally or civilly liable if they file false reports with malicious intent. Additionally, the legislation introduces new civil liability provisions for professionals who knowingly fail to report suspected abuse, while maintaining immunity for those who act in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary committee to examine whether transportation costs should be included in default budgets designed to maintain current service levels. The committee will consist of six legislators, three appointed by the Senate and three by the House, who will meet to study the issue and develop recommendations. They are required to submit their findings and any proposed legislation to state leaders and the governor by November 1, 2024. The committee members will receive standard mileage reimbursement for attending meetings, and the group must elect a chairperson and hold its first session within 45 days of the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Hampshire school districts to create written policies for managing their library collections and handling requests to remove materials. The new rules mandate that these policies cannot ban or remove books based on specific personal characteristics such as race, gender identity, or sexual orientation, nor can they restrict materials based on the viewpoint expressed within them. Under the proposed guidelines, parents and guardians would have a formal process to request a review of library items they find unsuitable, but the material must remain accessible to students while the review is pending. The legislation defines "library materials" broadly to include books, digital resources, and other educational or entertainment items available in school libraries. These policies must be in place and effective by January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new committee to examine voluntary home visiting services for families with newborns, infants, and young children. The committee, which will include members from both the House and Senate, is tasked with researching current providers such as midwives, doulas, and health centers to understand their processes, costs, and outcomes. It will also assess the benefits and harms of these services to families and investigate whether there is unmet demand in the state. Finally, the committee must submit a report with its findings and legislative recommendations to state officials by October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state insurance commissioner to issue written guidance to health care providers and insurance companies regarding the coverage of pelvic floor therapy. The commissioner must also review current insurance plans to identify any gaps in coverage and submit a detailed report with findings and recommendations to state officials by November 1, 2024. The law takes effect 60 days after it is passed, ensuring that these administrative steps are taken to clarify how pelvic floor therapy is covered under health insurance plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state licensing system for music therapists to regulate the practice of music therapy in New Hampshire. It creates a specific governing board within the existing allied health framework to oversee licensure and define the scope of practice, which includes using music for therapeutic goals like improving communication skills or managing stress. The law prohibits anyone without a license from using the title "music therapist" while allowing other healthcare professionals to use music incidentally to their existing duties. Additionally, the bill clarifies that licensed music therapists cannot evaluate or treat speech, language, or swallowing disorders unless they also hold a separate license in that field.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program to offer financial retention grants to teachers working in rural or underserved schools in New Hampshire. To qualify, educators must be full-time staff at schools located in low-density areas or those facing economic challenges, and they must sign a contract to stay at the same school for up to four years. The program provides increasing payments of $1,500 through $4,500 as teachers complete each year of their contract, with the Department of Education responsible for identifying eligible schools and managing the application process. The legislation also authorizes an initial appropriation of $1 for the 2025 fiscal year to fund these grants, with the governor permitted to access these funds from the state treasury.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $300,000 to the state's loan repayment program specifically for qualified nursing professionals licensed in New Hampshire. The funds are intended to help these nurses manage student debt, with the money designated to the Department of Health and Human Services for the biennium ending June 30, 2025. Additionally, the bill requires the department to submit a report by November 1, 2024, proposing a separate student loan forgiveness program for nurses who do not currently qualify for the repayment assistance. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passing and includes provisions for reporting to various legislative leaders and the governor.