Sen. Sue Prentiss

Maddy summarySB 252 allows doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners (APRNs) to prescribe certain highly regulated prescription drugs - including opioids - from Schedules II through IV via telemedicine. It requires an initial in-person patient visit before telemedicine prescribing begins and mandates an annual in-person follow-up evaluation for all such prescriptions. The law applies specifically to drugs in Schedules II-IV (tightly controlled medications) and requires all telemedicine prescriptions to comply with federal and state regulations. The bill takes effect August 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 190) amends the title of an existing health advisory council to clarify its focus on the "state health assessment and state health improvement plan." It removes two existing sections and renumbers the remaining section to simplify the council's structure. The bill does not create new policies or affect specific groups; it only adjusts the council's formal title and internal section numbering. It became law on June 24, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 210 primarily creates a statewide open enrollment system, allowing New Hampshire parents to transfer children to any public school district within the state without tuition fees. It amends residency rules to clarify legal residence for school attendance and requires districts to publicly report school capacities and enrollment decisions. The bill establishes that military-connected students receive admission preference over non-residents and mandates districts to post capacity data monthly. The bill’s title mentions bullying prevention, but the text contains no actual provisions addressing bullying; the focus is solely on expanding school choice through open enrollment mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 18 allows existing pediatric intermediate care facilities (established before the law's effective date) to temporarily add up to 2 beds beyond their licensed capacity, starting July 1, 2023, and expiring June 30, 2026. The commissioner of health and human services may assess facility needs and request additional beds from the fiscal committee of the legislature if necessary. If approved, the commissioner can increase a facility’s licensed bed count through formal committee approval. This directly affects pediatric facilities serving children in intermediate care, providing temporary flexibility while requiring legislative oversight for permanent capacity changes.

Maddy summarySB 30 designates the Virginia opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) as New Hampshire’s official state marsupial, amending state law to recognize this species. The bill directly affects New Hampshire residents and state identity by formally naming the opossum as a symbolic representative of the state. Key provisions include updating legal references to identify opossums found in New Hampshire as "New Hampshire opossums." The bill contains no provisions related to fertilizer penalties - the mention of "fertilizers" in the title appears to be an error, as the actual text focuses solely on the marsupial designation. This is a symbolic, non-regulatory change with no practical impact on policy or enforcement.

Maddy summarySB 146 updates procedures for certifying deaths in Massachusetts by clarifying which medical professionals can issue death certificates and when medical examiners must be involved. It directly affects physicians, medical examiners, and funeral homes handling death records. The bill requires physicians to use standardized medical certification forms and mandates medical examiners to review certain deaths (like unexpected or violent cases) before finalizing records. Signed into law on June 10, 2025, it takes effect August 9, 2025, standardizing death certification across the state.

Maddy summarySB 133 designates emergency medical services provided by ambulance service providers as essential services under state law. This change directly affects ambulance providers and their employees, ensuring these services are recognized as critical during emergencies or labor disputes. The bill establishes that ambulance services must continue operating during strikes or emergencies to maintain public safety. It became law on June 10, 2025, and takes effect on August 9, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 77 requires that children in delinquency cases and children in need of services (CHINS) cases receive the same types of psychological evaluations as children in child protection matters. This standardizes mental health assessment requirements across these child welfare contexts, directly affecting minors involved in juvenile court and child welfare proceedings. The bill mandates identical evaluation protocols to ensure consistent access to necessary psychological assessments regardless of case type. It became law on June 10, 2025, and takes effect on August 9, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 28 simplifies workers' compensation claims for emergency responders (like police, firefighters, and EMTs) diagnosed with acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from their job duties. The bill creates a legal presumption that such mental health conditions are work-related, eliminating the need for responders to prove a specific incident caused their condition. This change directly affects emergency responders seeking benefits, making it easier for them to access compensation without extensive documentation. The policy becomes effective August 9, 2025, after the bill was signed into law on June 10, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 278 allows child welfare courts to consider certain criminal convictions from other states as grounds for terminating parental rights. It directly affects parents with qualifying convictions in states outside the current jurisdiction and the courts handling parental rights petitions. The bill expands the definition of "qualifying convictions" to include those from other states, requiring courts to evaluate these when determining if parental rights should be terminated. The law, signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, takes effect January 1, 2026.