Rep. David Love

Maddy summaryHB 1442 requires public schools and municipal buildings to designate bathrooms and locker rooms by biological sex (male/female), rather than gender identity. It redefines "gender identity" to exclude using it for accessing spaces designated for females, and creates "willful trespass" for males entering female-designated facilities (with exceptions for emergencies or supervision). The bill also mandates correctional facilities house inmates by biological sex and limits gender identity protections in civil rights enforcement. It directly affects public school students, municipal building users, correctional facility inmates, and businesses operating public accommodations. The law uses biological sex (based on chromosomes/SRY gene) as the standard for facility access and definitions.

Maddy summaryHB 1331 allows the town of Derry to legally take over its existing Derry cooperative school district. The bill provides three specific voter-approved methods for this absorption: placing the measure on a state election ballot (via 5% voter petition), including it as an article on a town meeting warrant, or having the town council place it on the town ballot. This bill directly affects Derry town residents and the governance structure of the local school district. It creates a clear procedural pathway for the town to assume full control of the school district without changing educational policies or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1378 would require healthcare providers to give parents or legal guardians full access to their minor child's electronic medical records (including online patient portals), except in three specific cases: 1) when the minor can legally consent to treatment without parents (e.g., certain reproductive or mental health services), 2) when a protective order or court ruling prohibits access, or 3) when a provider documents in writing that disclosure could cause abuse or neglect. This bill directly affects parents, guardians, and healthcare providers by changing how medical records are shared. It aims to support parental involvement in children’s healthcare decisions while preserving existing legal protections for minors in sensitive situations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1206 clarifies which cases the family court (formerly judicial branch family division) can handle under equity jurisdiction. It explicitly states the court has equity powers for family law matters like divorce, child custody, alimony, and support when subject matter jurisdiction applies, removing ambiguous language from existing law. The bill does not create new authority but makes clear that these cases can be resolved through oral testimony, depositions, or consent without requiring a jury trial. It affects family court judges and individuals involved in family law proceedings in New Hampshire. The changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1757 would require divorcing couples in New Hampshire to have been married for more than six years to qualify for alimony. It directly affects individuals ending short marriages (six years or less) by prohibiting courts from ordering either term alimony or reimbursement alimony in such cases. The bill amends existing divorce law to set this six-year minimum requirement for alimony requests, which must be filed before the divorce decree or within five years of its effective date. This change applies to all cases filed on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1263 clarifies that disposable military retirement pay (defined as retirement pay after tax and mandatory deductions) is excluded from gross income calculations for alimony and cannot be divided as marital property in divorce settlements. The bill requires alimony payments sourced from this pay to automatically terminate or suspend when the payor retires, unless federal law or regulations require otherwise. It specifically distinguishes disposable military retirement pay from other military benefits and ensures alimony orders based on this pay follow the same rules as civilian retirement pay. This law takes effect on July 1, 2026, directly affecting divorcing couples where military retirement pay is used to fund alimony.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires marital masters, arbitrators, mediators, and judicial referees in New Hampshire to first be commissioned as a justice of the peace to qualify for their positions. It mandates that these individuals renew their justice of the peace commission every five years through the standard application process and take an oath as specified in the state constitution. Violating this oath would result in immediate dismissal from their role. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2027, with no new state funding needed.

Maddy summaryHB 1687 removes the authority of New Hampshire's family division courts to issue criminal penalties, judgments, or determinations in cases they handle. The bill specifically prohibits these courts from imposing criminal sanctions (like fines or jail time) for matters within their jurisdiction, such as family-related cases. Instead, criminal matters must now be handled exclusively by superior courts, as outlined in RSA 592-A:1. This change ensures family courts remain focused on civil matters like custody disputes, while criminal penalties are reserved for appropriate judicial bodies. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1465 requires certain state employees, including court staff, judges, attorneys, and bar association members, to report suspected civil rights violations or breaches of judicial conduct rules committed by judicial branch members. If they have reasonable cause to believe a violation occurred (e.g., in person or reported to them), they must immediately notify the Attorney General’s office. Failure to report is punishable as a misdemeanor, with a $1,500 fine and up to one week in jail. The Attorney General forwards reports to the court administrative office, county sheriffs, and the chief justice, while protecting good-faith reporters from retaliation. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1552 requires individuals seeking protective orders (for domestic violence, stalking, or other cases) to sign a statement acknowledging that false claims in their petition could lead to perjury charges. This applies to all new petitions filed under New Hampshire law, including those for temporary or permanent restraining orders. The bill mandates that petitioners sign an affidavit confirming they understand false statements may result in criminal penalties under RSA 641:1. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated cost impact to state or local governments.