Sen. Dan Innis

Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for the New Hampshire Board of Optometry by expanding the types of pharmaceutical agents that licensed optometrists can dispense to patients, including specific oral pain relievers and certain vaccines. It establishes a dedicated funding source to support health professional licensing boards and clarifies that pharmacy inspections will be conducted by trained pharmacists rather than the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Additionally, the legislation amends the legal definition of the practice of optometry to explicitly include the diagnosis and treatment of acute angle closure glaucoma while listing specific surgical procedures that remain outside the scope of optometric practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Anti-Sanctuary Act, would require state and local law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. It explicitly prohibits any government entity from adopting policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration requests, such as honoring detainers or withholding inmate information. While the law mandates efforts to support federal enforcement, it includes specific exceptions that prevent the use of immigration status information against victims or witnesses of certain serious crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault. If a local agency violates these requirements, the state attorney general could file a lawsuit to stop the policy and seek court orders to enforce compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes two primary changes to how the Department of Health and Human Services manages funding. First, it allows Medicaid to reimburse ambulance providers for emergency calls where patients receive treatment at the scene without being transported to a hospital, provided specific conditions regarding patient consent and stability are met. Second, it appropriates $500,000 to support recreational activities for adults with developmental disabilities who have exited the school system, covering costs that Medicaid does not currently reimburse. The funds are intended to help these individuals participate in community activities that promote socialization and wellness, with a payment limit of $600 per person and requirements for the department to report on how the money is used.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens the Department of Energy's authority to enforce compliance orders against public utilities and their agents by establishing a civil penalty of up to $100,000 for violations, with funds directed toward ratepayer credits or low-income assistance programs. It expands community solar opportunities by allowing developers to designate projects for low- and moderate-income households, subject to a 6-megawatt annual capacity limit, while also updating reporting requirements for the state's renewable energy fund and net metering data. The legislation clarifies definitions for useful thermal energy in renewable portfolio standards and streamlines the process for municipalities to receive information regarding personal wireless service facility applications. Additionally, it exempts small utilities with less than $10,000 in annual revenue from certain assessments and repeals older statutes related to wireless tower mapping and departmental guidance.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance services when emergency responders provide care at a patient's home or on the scene without transporting them to a hospital. To qualify for payment, providers must document that the response was triggered by an emergency call and that the patient either refused transport, was deemed stable for community care, or died after resuscitation efforts were stopped. The legislation includes a $500,000 appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund these reimbursements, with the specific Medicaid rule changes taking effect only after federal approval.

Maddy summaryThis law requires the state to raise Medicaid payment rates for prosthetic and orthotic devices so they are at least 90% of the rates paid by Medicare, starting July 1, 2024. To achieve this, the state will use $620,000 in funding to adjust payments and must report its progress to a health oversight committee by November 1, 2024. An annual review will also be conducted to ensure these rates remain adequate compared to typical market costs and to close any remaining gaps between Medicaid and Medicare payments. The changes directly affect patients who need braces, hearing aids, or other medical devices and the providers who supply them.

Maddy summaryThis law establishes tax limits for towns and school districts that choose to adopt them, restricting how much they can raise in property taxes compared to the previous year. Local governments can set a fixed dollar amount or percentage cap, with automatic adjustments allowed for inflation and changes in population or student attendance. Towns and school boards can override these limits during annual meetings, but doing so requires a specific voting process where a supermajority of those voting must approve the increase. The rules apply only to communities that voluntarily enact the cap, giving them control over their budget constraints while providing a structured way to exceed them if necessary.

Maddy summarySB 340 updates New Hampshire special education laws to improve communication and oversight between parents, schools, and the state. The bill allows school districts to send Individualized Education Program (IEP) notices via email unless a parent prefers mail, and it requires districts to report rejected IEPs or placements within five days so the state can promptly inform parents of available dispute resolution options. Additionally, the Office of the Advocate for Special Education gains expanded authority to review student records and complaints without public disclosure, while the Department of Education must publish an annual report detailing disability statistics, funding, and progress on compliance plans. The legislation also encourages local school districts to create and share their own alternative dispute resolution programs to help families resolve conflicts more efficiently.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "Master Teacher" credential for educators who have at least seven years of teaching experience and receive high ratings on local evaluation systems. To qualify, teachers must submit a portfolio demonstrating leadership in classroom practice, supervision, student support, collaboration, and professional development. The credential is intended to identify experienced teachers as resources to improve student learning and school collaboration, but it does not grant them authority to recommend personnel actions. Additionally, the bill sets fee limits for issuing and renewing Master Teacher licenses, ensuring they do not exceed the cost of standard educator licenses. These changes take effect on October 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes stricter rules for placing children in state care into residential facilities, prioritizing placement with relatives or in foster homes as the first options. It mandates that residential care be used only as a last resort for children aged 12 and older, unless there is a specific medical or therapeutic need, and requires all such facilities to meet new state certification standards before receiving funding. To enforce these standards, the Department of Health and Human Services will create a team to inspect and certify programs, conduct regular unannounced visits, and report quarterly on their oversight activities and spending. Additionally, the bill requires special approval from the state director before placing any child in a facility outside of New England.