Sen. Debra Altschiller

Maddy summaryThis law requires the state to raise Medicaid payment rates for prosthetic and orthotic devices so they are at least 90% of the rates paid by Medicare, starting July 1, 2024. To achieve this, the state will use $620,000 in funding to adjust payments and must report its progress to a health oversight committee by November 1, 2024. An annual review will also be conducted to ensure these rates remain adequate compared to typical market costs and to close any remaining gaps between Medicaid and Medicare payments. The changes directly affect patients who need braces, hearing aids, or other medical devices and the providers who supply them.

Maddy summarySB 547 updates the rules for New Hampshire's Land and Community Heritage Investment Authority, which manages state funds to protect natural, historic, and cultural resources. The bill clarifies definitions for terms like "resource asset" and "stewardship," ensuring that protected lands and buildings are managed according to specific legal obligations. It also adjusts financial requirements by mandating that applicants provide at least 50 percent of project costs through a combination of cash, in-kind services, donated property, or endowment funds. Additionally, the law establishes new criteria for awarding grants, prioritizing projects in areas with high development threats and those with strong local community support. These changes aim to improve how the state evaluates and funds conservation efforts while ensuring long-term maintenance and protection of acquired properties.

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 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, known as the Bradley Haas Act, provides a one-time death benefit of $100,000 to the family of a New Hampshire hospital security officer who is killed while performing their duties. The legislation specifically allocates these funds to the beneficiaries of Bradley Haas, who was fatally shot at a hospital in 2023, and distributes the money according to existing state rules for law enforcement death benefits. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "police officer" for death benefit purposes to include security officers employed directly by the state of New Hampshire. This change ensures that state-employed security guards are eligible for the same financial support as other sworn law enforcement officers if they die in the line of duty.

Maddy summaryThis law allows parents or guardians to appoint a temporary agent to handle the care, custody, or property of a minor or incapacitated person for up to 60 days. To make this appointment valid, the parent or guardian must sign a document in front of two witnesses, and the chosen agent must sign to accept the role. The bill includes specific rules for situations involving shared parenting plans, requiring that the other parent consent unless there are safety concerns like domestic violence or child abuse investigations. Additionally, the appointing parent can cancel or change the agent's authority at any time, and a court can also limit or alter what the agent is allowed to do.

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.