Sen. Debra Altschiller

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the requirement for accessible voting systems to include local elections in cities and towns that currently only provide them for state elections. It legally defines an accessible voting system as any machine capable of printing a paper ballot marked with the voter's choices, ensuring compliance with federal disability laws. Under the new rules, every polling place in municipalities using official ballot systems must have at least one such machine available to allow voters with disabilities to cast their ballots privately and independently without assistance. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, aiming to ensure equal access to voting for all eligible citizens regardless of their disability status.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates rules for condominium board meetings in New Hampshire to clarify what counts as a formal meeting and ensure greater transparency. It explicitly states that gathering to compare vendor proposals does not constitute a meeting, but it prohibits boards from using social gatherings to bypass open meeting laws. The legislation requires boards to hold open regular meetings at least once every quarter where owners can comment, mandates that meeting notices be sent at least 10 days in advance, and ensures that materials distributed to the board are also made available to owners. Additionally, the law exempts self-managed communities from certain requirements and does not apply to small condominiums or committees that cannot spend funds or sign contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special committee to study emergency mental health services for people aged 21 and under in New Hampshire. The committee, made up of five state legislators, will review current laws, insurance coverage, and claims data to identify gaps in behavioral health care for youth. It will also gather expert testimony and assess whether insurance plans are following fairness rules regarding mental health coverage. By November 1, 2024, the group must submit a report with its findings and any suggested new laws to state leaders and the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an exemption for out-of-state doctors who treat patients in New Hampshire, allowing them to practice there without full state licensure. To qualify, the doctor must maintain an active relationship with the patient in their home state and perform in-person check-ups at least once a year, with the frequency adjusted based on the patient's specific medical needs. The law applies specifically to physicians licensed elsewhere who are providing care to New Hampshire residents under these established conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire to submit hate crime reports to the state police at least twice a year. The reports must detail the number of offenses and arrests, and the state police will publish these statistics on their website every 45 days. A hate crime is defined as any offense where an officer suspects the crime was motivated by bias against characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. The law takes effect on September 1, 2024, and applies to all police departments operating within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for inspecting state dams and creates a new committee to study how to better fund their upkeep. It requires the Department of Environmental Services to regularly inspect dams that could threaten public safety and sets specific conditions under which a dam previously classified as safe must be re-evaluated. The legislation also directs that money earned from leasing or selling state dams be used to pay off existing debt and repair other dams, while establishing a committee of legislators to review current funding methods and propose new solutions by November 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies unemployment benefit rules to allow individuals working from home to remain eligible for benefits, provided they can find suitable work within their residence. Under the new provisions, a person is no longer disqualified for not being available for work outside their home unless there is a reasonable expectation of substantial employment opportunities available inside the home. The commissioner of the Department of Employment Services is tasked with creating specific rules to determine what constitutes a reasonable expectation of such work. This change directly affects unemployed workers who are currently working remotely or seeking remote positions while collecting unemployment insurance. The legislation takes effect immediately upon signing.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of a school transportation vehicle to include private passenger cars used by contracted companies to transport students to public and private schools. It allows school districts and private schools to hire these providers, provided the vehicles are approved by the Department of Safety and driven by certified school bus operators. The legislation also requires stricter background checks for drivers, including criminal history reviews, and mandates that all drivers maintain specific qualification files accessible to the state department. Additionally, the state director gains the authority to inspect these vehicles before they are used to ensure they are fit for transporting children.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum legal age for marriage in New Hampshire from 16 to 18 years old. It directly affects all individuals by making any marriage entered into by a person under 18 automatically invalid and prohibiting town clerks and religious officials from issuing licenses or performing such ceremonies. The law also removes special exceptions that previously allowed minors to marry with parental consent or court approval, while simultaneously banning marriages by proxy. Finally, the legislation repeals several older statutes that governed the process for minors seeking marriage permits and annulments.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program in New Hampshire by removing a rule that required the state to hold a future interest in every easement purchased with program funds. Under the new law, easements acquired through the program will be held directly by the municipalities, political subdivisions, or nonprofit corporations that purchase them, rather than being shared with the state. This change allows local entities to have full ownership of conservation easements without the state retaining a legal claim to the property in perpetuity. The legislation applies specifically to resource assets bought using LCHIP funds and does not alter how the program acquires or restores other types of cultural or historical resources.