Sen. Bill Gannon

Maddy summarySB 72 establishes a "Parental Bill of Rights" in New Hampshire law, directly affecting parents of minors (under 18) and public schools. The bill requires schools to provide parents with timely, accurate information about their child's education, health, discipline policies, and assessments, and grants parents specific rights to opt out of health/sex education, surveys, and certain data collection. It prohibits schools or government entities from infringing on parental rights to direct a child's upbringing, education, or health care without demonstrating a compelling state interest and using the least restrictive means. The law aims to clarify parental authority while setting specific disclosure requirements for schools.

Maddy summarySB 13 prohibits the renewal or issuance of driver's licenses in New Hampshire to individuals with pending asylum claims, regardless of any temporary work authorization they may hold. It also invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses held by undocumented immigrants. The bill specifically blocks license renewals for people with pending asylum cases and prevents the issuance of new licenses to asylees until they receive permanent residency status, even if they have work permits. These changes directly affect undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers in the state who currently hold or seek driver's licenses.

Maddy summarySB 100 prohibits New Hampshire public school educators from teaching, instructing, or inculcating discrimination targeting specific racial groups (including white people, Black people, or Hispanic/Latino people), while allowing educators to discuss historical discrimination as part of academic instruction. It requires school districts to investigate educator violations under state code and permits civil lawsuits by affected individuals or the attorney general. The law applies specifically to certified educators (teachers, administrators, and specialists) in public schools and explicitly states that discrimination cannot be justified by special considerations for any racial group.

Maddy summarySB 133 designates emergency medical services provided by ambulance service providers as essential services under state law. This change directly affects ambulance providers and their employees, ensuring these services are recognized as critical during emergencies or labor disputes. The bill establishes that ambulance services must continue operating during strikes or emergencies to maintain public safety. It became law on June 10, 2025, and takes effect on August 9, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 295 creates New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, allowing parents to use public funds for private school tuition or approved educational expenses. It directly affects eligible K-12 students from households earning up to 350% of the federal poverty level (with income verified only at initial application), prioritizing current EFA students, siblings, students with disabilities, and low-income families. The program sets a 10,000-student enrollment cap for 2025-2026, with potential 25% annual increases if prior-year enrollment exceeded 90% of the cap, and reserves spots for renewing students before new enrollments. The law, signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, is now effective and replaces prior eligibility rules.

Maddy summarySB 28 simplifies workers' compensation claims for emergency responders (like police, firefighters, and EMTs) diagnosed with acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from their job duties. The bill creates a legal presumption that such mental health conditions are work-related, eliminating the need for responders to prove a specific incident caused their condition. This change directly affects emergency responders seeking benefits, making it easier for them to access compensation without extensive documentation. The policy becomes effective August 9, 2025, after the bill was signed into law on June 10, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 54 mandates annual firearms safety education for all K-12 students in New Hampshire public schools, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. The bill requires age-appropriate curriculum focused on safe handling, storage, and legal responsibilities - avoidance for grades K-5 and expanded topics including mechanics for grades 6-12 - delivered through health, PE, or civics classes without live firearms. Parents may opt their child out via existing procedures under RSA 186:11, IX-c. The Department of Education must develop the free curriculum by January 2026, with school districts reporting compliance annually.

Maddy summaryHB 511 allows New Hampshire counties to hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees for up to 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) after state charges conclude, but only if the county has a signed agreement covering costs and medical expenses. Counties without such agreements are not required to hold ICE detainees. The bill directly affects county correctional facilities and their agreements with federal immigration authorities. It became law on May 22, 2025, and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 62 restricts local law enforcement agencies from participating in federal immigration enforcement programs, such as the 287(g) program, which allows state officers to assist with federal immigration detainers. It directly affects municipal and county police departments by prohibiting them from cooperating with federal immigration authorities on immigration-related matters. The bill’s key provision bans state and local law enforcement from using state resources to enforce federal immigration law or share information about individuals solely based on immigration status. This law takes effect on January 1, 2026, and applies to all state and local law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryHB 284 requires New Hampshire towns to include clear, standardized tax impact statements on all municipal budget voting items (warrant articles) that affect property taxes. Specifically, towns must add a line like "If this article passes, estimated tax impact of $X.XX per $1,000 property valuation" for each item, with multi-year impacts showing yearly estimates for up to five years. Towns must also provide a total tax impact summary on ballots if all tax-impacting items pass, phrased as "If all warrant articles with a tax impact pass, estimated tax impact of $X.XX per $1,000 property valuation." This directly affects towns (and their residents) by mandating transparent, consistent tax impact disclosures before voting. The bill is procedural, focusing on disclosure requirements, not changing tax rates or policies.