Sen. Sue Prentiss

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies an existing law to clarify that primary care physicians are not required to use a specific behavioral health care model. Instead, it mandates that insurance companies must cover services provided when a primary care provider voluntarily chooses to implement this model. The changes apply immediately to insurance coverage rules and take effect 60 days after the bill is passed into law.

Maddy summaryHB 1621 requires the liquor commission to create and display educational materials in all state liquor stores to help customers identify signs of alcohol use disorder. These materials include a brochure given with every liquor purchase and posters available for public viewing, both developed in partnership with the bureau of drug and alcohol services. The bill also allows the commission to share this information through other print, signage, or electronic methods as it sees fit. This legislation aims to increase awareness of alcohol-related health risks and provide resources for those concerned about their drinking habits.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for tenants facing eviction because their landlord plans to renovate their home. It requires landlords to give tenants at least 60 days' notice and provide a detailed description of the planned work and its timeline. To successfully evict a tenant under these circumstances, landlords must prove that the repairs cannot be done safely while the unit is occupied, will take more than 30 days, and that the tenant was offered a comparable unit at the same rent price. Additionally, the bill gives judges the authority to pause the eviction process for up to six months if they choose to do so. These changes apply specifically to properties classified as restricted rental housing.

Maddy summarySB 328 aims to protect consumers from deceptive practices in the secondary ticket market by requiring online sellers and resellers to clearly display the total price of tickets, including all fees, before a purchase is made. The bill also prohibits resellers from selling "speculative tickets," which are tickets the seller does not actually possess or own at the time of sale, while allowing them to offer services to help consumers find tickets if those services are clearly distinguished from direct ticket sales. Additionally, the law forbids websites from using a ticket issuer's trademarks or logos in a way that could mislead buyers into thinking they are on the official site. These rules take effect on January 1, 2025, and apply to anyone selling or reselling tickets for entertainment events.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits discrimination in New Hampshire public schools and workplaces based on hairstyles historically associated with race, such as braids, locs, and twists. It expands the legal definition of race to include hair texture and protective hairstyles, allowing individuals to file complaints with the state's human rights commission or in court if they face unfair treatment. The law explicitly excludes employees of the Department of Corrections from its protections and is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $500,000 in state funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to support community and transitional housing for individuals served by state-designated community mental health centers. The money can be used to create new housing units or retain existing ones, with grants capped at $25,000 per bed, and the department must begin accepting applications by December 1, 2024. Recipients are required to prioritize assistance for veterans in need while being prohibited from using the funds to provide aid to individuals not legally present in the United States. The funding is intended to cover non-billable services for supported housing programs and remains available for future use if not spent in the current fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to include a plan for safety improvements on Route 101 within the state's 10-year transportation improvement plan. The legislation specifically targets the stretch of road from Bedford to Milford, requiring the implementation of physical barriers to separate opposing traffic lanes and the adoption of limited access design principles to reduce severe crashes. While the bill mandates these planning steps, it does not provide direct funding, instead requesting that the department seek approximately $7 million annually from federal sources to cover the estimated costs of construction and environmental permitting.

Maddy summaryHB 1084 proposes to update the qualifications required for the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Department of Education. Under this bill, these leaders would need to hold an advanced degree, possess current certification as a teacher or school administrator, and have at least five years of combined experience in public school teaching or administration. The legislation also establishes a four-year term for these positions, allowing for reappointment, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a report detailing how to expand access to the medications mifepristone and misoprostol. The report must identify potential ways to protect and increase access, outline methods for better public education on these drugs, and list any obstacles currently preventing their availability. The legislation requires the report to be submitted to state legislative leaders by November 1, 2024, without using state general funds, and notes that the department must not violate existing state or federal laws while conducting this study.