Sen. Sue Prentiss

Maddy summarySB 279 establishes a new loan program to provide financing for businesses focused on building or rehabilitating housing. It allocates state funds to the Department of Business and Economic Affairs and the Business Finance Authority to administer these loans. The program directly supports small housing developers, contractors, and housing-focused nonprofits by offering them access to capital for housing projects. This policy change shifts state funding toward housing development through a dedicated loan mechanism, without specifying loan terms or interest rates.

Maddy summarySB 246 requires New Hampshire Medicaid and private health insurers to cover maternal depression screenings at well-child visits and during prenatal/postpartum care for new mothers. It mandates coverage for screenings at specific intervals (1, 2, 4, and 6 months postpartum) and includes referrals to mental health resources. The bill allocates $275,000 to establish a perinatal psychiatric provider consult line and $75,000 for rural maternal health EMS services. These changes directly affect new mothers and infants in New Hampshire by expanding access to mental health support during the perinatal period.

Maddy summarySB 132 requires New Hampshire health insurance companies to cover prosthetic devices for residents under 19 and over 19. For children, coverage includes activity-specific devices annually (with no annual limits for medically necessary devices), while adults get one activity-specific device every five years. The bill mandates coverage for all necessary materials, user instruction, and medically necessary repairs or replacements. It excludes Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) plans and takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 118 establishes the Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility Capital Investment Fund to support capital projects at that facility. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to deposit lease and administrative revenue from the facility into the fund, with a $3 million reporting threshold for excess revenue. The fund is nonlapsing (can be used year after year) and may only be used for required capital investments at Hampstead Hospital, not for other purposes. The fund provisions take effect July 1, 2025, while related sections about nursing home allowances and staff appropriations (mentioned in the title but not detailed in the bill text) have separate effective dates. The bill does not address cannabis cultivation, as that appears to be an error in the provided title.

Maddy summarySB 195 revises the membership structure and responsibilities of New Hampshire's Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education. The bill specifies who serves on the council (including new stakeholder representation) and defines its key duties, such as advising the state on workforce education programs and curriculum standards. This directly affects the council members, state education officials, and career training programs across New Hampshire. The changes take effect on September 30, 2025, after the bill was signed by the governor on August 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 245 prohibits surprise ambulance billing for patients receiving emergency care at in-network hospitals, ensuring they only pay their standard copayment or deductible. It regulates ground ambulance reimbursement by requiring insurers to pay set rates based on the ambulance provider's contracted rates with the hospital, rather than charging patients for out-of-network fees. This directly affects patients using emergency ambulance services, preventing unexpected bills while establishing clear payment rules for ambulance providers and insurers. The law applies specifically to ground ambulance services, not air ambulances or non-emergency transport.

Maddy summarySB 267 modifies penalties for individuals who pay for sexual services (known as "patrons" of prostitution). It directly affects people who engage in purchasing sex, increasing the legal consequences for this activity. The bill changes the current penalty structure, though specific details of the revised penalties are not provided in the available context. This legislation, signed by the governor on July 29, 2025, takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 763 requires all public schools to develop and maintain specific emergency response plans for sports-related injuries. These plans must outline immediate actions for athletic staff and medical personnel to take during athletic events. The bill directly affects schools, athletic directors, and coaches by mandating standardized protocols for handling injuries like concussions or fractures. It became law on July 1, 2025, after being signed by Governor Ayotte on July 15, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 225 requires New Hampshire employers with 50+ employees at a single location to reemploy military spouses if their service member is involuntarily deployed. The bill defines "employer" to exclude combined staff under common ownership and allows employers to refuse reemployment only if circumstances make it impossible or unreasonable, per federal guidelines (20 C.F.R. § 1002.139). This directly affects military spouses in New Hampshire who face job loss due to their partner's deployment. The law creates a clear framework for employer obligations while providing a specific exception tied to federal standards. It takes effect January 1, 2026.