Rep. Jim Kofalt

Maddy summaryHB 1616 prohibits New Hampshire state agencies and local governments (like cities and towns) from using public funds to advertise vaccines. It bans both direct advertising by these entities and payments to contractors for vaccine promotion. The law specifically targets spending from state or local budgets on vaccine-related advertising, including through federal immunization grants. This bill does not affect vaccine access, safety, or public health programs - only the use of public funds for promotional activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1643 changes how court-appointed child representatives (guardians ad litem) submit reports in family court cases. It removes the requirement for these reports to propose specific parenting arrangements, such as who makes decisions about the child's care, a detailed parenting plan, or a set schedule. Courts can no longer request these proposals unless they explicitly ask for them. This bill affects guardians ad litem and family court proceedings involving children, effective January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1565 makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally file false reports of child abuse or neglect with New Hampshire's Division for Children, Youth, and Families. It directly affects individuals who submit false reports (subject to criminal penalties) and people harmed by such reports (who can sue for civil damages). The bill clarifies that reports may include the reporter's name and creates a legal pathway for victims to seek monetary compensation through civil court. This changes existing law by adding specific criminal penalties for false reports and establishing a private right to sue, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1554 requires health insurance companies to offer peer-to-peer reviews at any stage of the prior authorization process, allowing doctors to discuss medical necessity directly with a qualified medical expert. Insurers must disclose the reviewer’s full name, license details, issuing state, and National Provider Identifier (NPI) to the doctor before the review begins. The bill mandates that reviews be scheduled within 2 business days for initial requests or 5 business days after a denial, with written decisions provided promptly. This applies to all health insurance plans and aims to increase transparency and timely decision-making for doctors and patients seeking coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1584 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to prominently display notices about medical and religious immunization exemptions on all vaccination-related materials, such as websites, brochures, or social media posts. It specifies that the notice must appear as visibly as main content - like a headline - and not just in footnotes. The bill also allows parents to use any written statement (not a specific form) to claim religious exemptions for their children's vaccinations. Additionally, the department must submit an annual report to the legislature detailing all promotional materials, compliance with the notice requirement, and any penalties assessed for noncompliance. This bill directly affects the Department of Health, schools, and healthcare providers distributing immunization information.

Maddy summaryHB 1816 allows New Hampshire's Department of Education to intervene in school districts facing a declared financial emergency. If the state board of education determines a district is in financial emergency, the commissioner can develop and oversee a recovery plan to address core financial needs through changes to administration, resource allocation, contract renegotiation, or up to one year of department oversight. The bill permits the department to request up to $200,000 from the education trust fund for this purpose, though fiscal details are pending. This directly affects school districts in financial distress, requiring state intervention to meet financial, operational, and instructional obligations for students. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1099 establishes a committee to examine how private businesses providing special education and behavioral services interact with school districts, particularly regarding reimbursement. The committee - composed of one Senate member and four House members - will study specific issues like whether districts get reimbursed when businesses use their resources, residency rules for students in business-provided housing, funding when parents live in different districts, and reimbursement for non-profits paying in lieu of taxes. It will also assess state-placed children in private facilities and report findings by November 1, 2026. This bill does not change current law but directs a study to inform future policy on special education funding.

Maddy summarySB 534 requires campaign committees supporting constitutional amendments or local ballot questions to certify under penalty of perjury that no foreign national funded their activities or influenced decisions. It mandates that committees return foreign contributions within 10 business days and disgorge funds if violations are found, with committee leaders held personally liable. The bill also prohibits foreign nationals from directing or soliciting contributions for these campaigns. These rules apply to all committees and independent spenders involved in covered ballot measures, with records maintained for four years and certifications published online.

Maddy summaryHB 1384 requires commercial litigation financiers to disclose certain information about their funding agreements for civil lawsuits. The bill defines "commercial litigation financing agreements" as third-party funding arrangements that create a financial interest in case proceeds, while excluding contingency fee agreements between lawyers and clients, health insurance arrangements, and standard loans. It also restricts funding from "foreign entities of concern" as defined by U.S. sanctions lists. The legislation aims to increase transparency around who is financing lawsuits and under what terms. This would affect law firms, claimants, and third-party financiers entering into such agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 1774 requires New Hampshire to participate in a federal tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations and creates a state list of qualifying groups. It prohibits state financial aid for college programs that don't meet federal earnings standards, defined by outcomes like job placement and wages above 150% of the federal poverty level. This affects public colleges, universities, and students enrolled in programs deemed "low-earning outcome" under federal criteria. The law aims to redirect state funding toward academic programs with stronger job prospects for graduates.