Sen. David Watters

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $2.5 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to increase payment rates for shelter programs. The funds are intended to be used first for any available federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act, with any remaining balance coming from general state funds. Recipients of this money must prioritize services for veterans and are prohibited from assisting individuals who are not legally present in the United States. Additionally, organizations receiving these funds must provide financial projections and ongoing statements to demonstrate their financial stability.

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 replaces the physical registration seal system with a digital confirmation number system for tracking wild deer and moose in New Hampshire. It directly affects hunters, requiring them to obtain a unique confirmation number for each animal instead of attaching a physical seal to the carcass or tag. The law mandates that these confirmation numbers accompany the animal during transport, whether by the hunter personally or through a licensed carrier, and establishes specific registration stations to issue these numbers. Once signed into law, the new system will become effective on September 24, 2024, streamlining how the state verifies and monitors harvested game.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially renames a specific stretch of Route 127 in Franklin, New Hampshire, from Central Street to the Sanbornton town line as the Chief Bradley Haas Memorial Highway. The legislation requires the state Department of Transportation to create and install appropriate signs along the designated route, with the design subject to departmental approval. While the City of Franklin is responsible for maintaining these signs, the state covers all costs associated with their design, manufacturing, and installation through general funds. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes three new requirements for hunters and fishermen in New Hampshire. It mandates the creation of registration stations to tag bears killed in the state and requires all hunters aged 16 and older to carry a valid federal duck stamp when hunting migratory waterfowl. Additionally, the law introduces a landing license for individuals who transport lobsters and crabs taken outside New Hampshire waters into the state for sale or personal use. These measures aim to improve wildlife tracking, ensure compliance with federal conservation laws, and regulate the importation of shellfish.

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.