Sen. Sue Prentiss

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 law prohibits the sale of new consumer products that contain intentionally added chemicals known as PFAS, which are commonly used for stain and water resistance. The ban covers a wide range of household items, including mattresses, carpets, cosmetics, food packaging, and furniture, while excluding products made with high percentages of recycled content or those regulated by federal law. Manufacturers and distributors must stop producing or importing these items, and the state can also pursue civil lawsuits against companies responsible for PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems. Additionally, the legislation provides a framework for settling legal claims related to the impacts of these chemicals on water supplies.

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 bill establishes a Commission on the Interdisciplinary Primary Care Workforce to study and report on strategies for improving healthcare access in New Hampshire. The commission will examine the state's loan repayment program and health professions survey, submitting an interim report in 2026 and a final report with recommendations in 2029. It also expands the commission's membership to include a representative from Direct Primary Care Frontier and requires the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification to share data with the State Office of Rural Health to support primary care initiatives. These changes aim to gather information and propose future legislation to address workforce needs in the state's healthcare system.

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 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 law prohibits health insurance companies from setting payment rates for advanced practice registered nurses based only on their professional license. Starting January 1, 2025, insurers must consider other factors beyond licensure when determining reimbursement amounts for these nurses. The change ensures that nurse compensation is not automatically reduced solely because they hold a specific type of license. Health carriers and advanced practice registered nurses are the primary groups directly affected by this new requirement.