Sen. James Gray

Maddy summarySB 96 requires New Hampshire school employees (like teachers) to respond in writing to parent inquiries about their child within 5 school days, answering completely and honestly where permitted by law. School districts may withhold information only if disclosure could cause abuse, neglect, or abandonment (with written documentation), but must otherwise provide full responses. This directly affects parents seeking information about their child’s education and school staff who must follow these communication rules. Violations would be treated as breaches of educator conduct standards. The bill is currently pending in committee.

Maddy summarySB 72 establishes a "Parental Bill of Rights" in New Hampshire law, directly affecting parents of minors (under 18) and public schools. The bill requires schools to provide parents with timely, accurate information about their child's education, health, discipline policies, and assessments, and grants parents specific rights to opt out of health/sex education, surveys, and certain data collection. It prohibits schools or government entities from infringing on parental rights to direct a child's upbringing, education, or health care without demonstrating a compelling state interest and using the least restrictive means. The law aims to clarify parental authority while setting specific disclosure requirements for schools.

Maddy summarySB 119 allows New Hampshire pharmacists to dispense Ivermectin without an individual prescription under specific written orders ("standing orders") from doctors, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants. These standing orders must include patient screening protocols, documentation requirements, and plans for handling adverse effects, but cannot be used for pregnant patients or those under 18. Pharmacists must provide patients with plain-language information about Ivermectin's risks, approved uses, and follow-up care. The bill also protects healthcare providers from disciplinary action if pharmacists properly follow these standing orders. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 295 creates New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, allowing parents to use public funds for private school tuition or approved educational expenses. It directly affects eligible K-12 students from households earning up to 350% of the federal poverty level (with income verified only at initial application), prioritizing current EFA students, siblings, students with disabilities, and low-income families. The program sets a 10,000-student enrollment cap for 2025-2026, with potential 25% annual increases if prior-year enrollment exceeded 90% of the cap, and reserves spots for renewing students before new enrollments. The law, signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, is now effective and replaces prior eligibility rules.

Maddy summarySB 29 updates the structure and responsibilities of the Health Care Workplace Safety Commission and modifies reporting requirements for healthcare facilities under their workplace violence prevention program. The bill changes commission membership rules and clarifies its jurisdiction, while simplifying the reporting process healthcare facilities must follow to document workplace violence incidents. It directly affects hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities required to submit these reports, as well as the commission managing the program. The law, signed by the governor on June 10, 2025, becomes effective August 9, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 16 requires city and town clerks in New Hampshire to post copies of election return forms online and in public notice locations within 7 days after an election. This applies directly to municipal clerks and affects voters seeking transparency about election results. The bill mandates posting in the same locations where municipalities typically publish meeting notices, such as their main website or social media accounts. The law became effective August 9, 2025, after passing both chambers and receiving the governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 45 clarifies rules for placing advertising signs on state-owned property, directly affecting political campaigns, advertisers, and local governments. It bans all advertising (including political) on state-owned public property, except on state rights-of-way with landowner consent (if not obstructing traffic). The bill requires political ads to be removed by candidates after elections (by the second Friday post-election), prohibits placement on utility poles or highway signs, and mandates that removed ads be stored for one week post-election for retrieval. The bill is currently inactive after being deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by committee in May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 78 modifies the residency requirements for individuals serving as county commissioners. It mandates that all county commissioners must be an inhabitant who resides actually and permanently in the specific district they are chosen to represent, rather than only in the broader county. This bill amends existing law to clarify and standardize this district-level residency requirement for county commissioners across the state. For Strafford County, these new qualifications will apply to elections starting with the 2026 state general election or any vacancies prior, without affecting current commissioners' terms.