Rep. Mark McLean

Maddy summarySB 468 allows alternative treatment centers (ATCs) that provide medical cannabis to apply for permission to operate greenhouse cultivation facilities, which typically use less energy than indoor growing. ATCs must submit a detailed plan showing how greenhouse cultivation will lower energy costs and reduce prices for registered qualifying patients. The state department must create rules for greenhouse operations - including security, location, and compliance with local zoning - and seek input from patients, caregivers, and community residents before approving new sites. ATCs will also report annually on greenhouse impacts to energy costs and product prices as part of their required state filings.

Maddy summaryHB 1576 modernizes New Hampshire's criminal restitution system by requiring annual financial reviews of offenders to ensure payments align with their current ability to pay. It mandates automatic payment increases when offenders gain income (e.g., raises, inheritances) and retroactively applies these changes, with victims notified immediately. The bill adds enforcement tools like wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension for nonpayment, plus interest and penalties for intentional avoidance. Victims must receive quarterly payment updates and written notice of any delays or enforcement actions, with restitution funds disbursed within 45 days of receipt. This directly affects offenders ordered to pay restitution, victims awaiting payments, and the Department of Corrections as the enforcement agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 615) changes how New Hampshire administers SNAP benefits (food stamps) through EBT cards. It requires the state to seek a federal waiver to block SNAP use for candy and soft drinks, strengthens work requirements for eligible adults, and mandates data-sharing with state agencies (like lottery, employment, and corrections) to verify recipient eligibility more rigorously. The bill also prohibits the state from applying more lenient SNAP rules than federal law allows. These changes directly affect SNAP recipients and the state’s health and human services department, which must implement the new verification processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities in New Hampshire to obtain certification from the Department of Health and Human Services. It establishes a certification process for facilities providing outpatient services like intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and medically managed outpatient treatment, while exempting nonclinical recovery support services and certain other providers. Facilities will pay certification fees to a new "substance use treatment certification fund" that will cover the costs of the certification program. The bill also requires the Department to maintain a public online list of certified facilities and to create a dedicated behavioral health specialist position within the Ombudsman's office to investigate complaints about treatment facilities.

Maddy summarySB 441 requires any New Hampshire municipality planning to transport homeless individuals or those needing substance use disorder treatment to another municipality to first establish a written agreement (Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU) with the receiving municipality. The MOU must detail services provided, financial responsibilities (including potential payments for treatment), transfer limits, and reporting requirements. This applies to non-emergency transports for housing, shelter, or treatment, but excludes emergency medical transfers, court-ordered moves, or voluntary relocations. Violations carry a $5,000 fine payable to the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill aims to ensure coordinated care and financial clarity between municipalities handling vulnerable residents.

Maddy summaryHB 1562 exempts membership-based health care facilities (which charge direct patient payments without insurance reimbursement) from certain licensing rules, including a moratorium on new licenses and bed capacity increases under RSA 151:2. The bill also requires these facilities to adopt a patient bill of rights covering dignity, privacy, and clear admission information, while directing the Department of Health and Human Services to study direct-pay models. It directly affects facilities operating under membership or direct-payment structures, removing them from standard licensing requirements in RSA 151:2-f and RSA 151:2, VI(a). The key change is creating a tailored regulatory framework for these facilities while maintaining core patient rights protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1517 requires business entities (like corporations or LLCs) that own residential properties (such as single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, or quadruplexes) to disclose that a purchase involves an interest in the entity, not the property itself. It bans these entities from restricting the transfer of ownership interests (allowing owners to sell without approval), charging fees for transfers, or discriminating against qualified buyers. The bill also prohibits agreements from mandating disputes be resolved outside state or federal courts. This directly affects entities managing residential properties through ownership arrangements and the owners who purchase interests in them.

Maddy summaryHB 751 requires outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities to obtain state licensure. It directly affects these facilities by mandating compliance with licensing standards. The bill also establishes a process for the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Ombudsman to investigate complaints about these facilities. Additionally, it allocates state funds to support the licensing and complaint investigation systems.

Maddy summaryHB 223 would have modified licensing requirements for health care facilities located within 15 miles of a critical access hospital. The bill aimed to establish specific standards for these facilities, directly affecting providers in rural areas near critical access hospitals. However, the bill was deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" by committee (4-1 vote) and later laid on the table in the Senate, effectively halting its progress. No policy changes were implemented as the bill did not advance beyond committee review. The legislature did not pursue this measure further.

Maddy summarySB 123 would require the state Medicaid program to cover ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse disorders. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorders and healthcare providers who offer this service. The key provision mandates that ear acupuncture be included as a covered benefit under the state Medicaid plan, ensuring providers can bill Medicaid for these treatments. The bill does not alter eligibility or funding levels but adds a specific service to the list of covered treatments.