Sen. Daryl Abbas

Maddy summarySB 467 increases penalties for fentanyl distribution by establishing mandatory minimum prison sentences: 3.5 years for 20 grams or more and 7 years for 50 grams or more (including mixtures). It also mandates a life sentence or long prison term for distributing non-fentanyl controlled drugs that cause death. Courts may reduce these sentences if defendants meet specific conditions, such as having no recent violent felony convictions, not using violence, and completing drug treatment or education. If reduced, defendants must serve at least 3 years of probation with drug testing, treatment, community service, and a suspended prison sentence.

Maddy summarySB 431 amends New Hampshire law to require that a public school teacher must have intentionally or knowingly taught discriminatory content for it to violate the prohibition on teaching discrimination. This change adds a mental state requirement, meaning accidental or unintentional teaching of discriminatory material would not be considered a violation. The bill applies to all public schools in New Hampshire and directly affects teachers and students by clarifying when the prohibition triggers. The key mechanism is modifying the existing law to specify that the teaching must be done with intent or knowledge of its discriminatory nature.

Maddy summarySB 535 defines two key terms for animal transfer regulations: a "residential breeder" (an individual breeding dogs/cats at home, raising litters as part of the household, transferring no more than 50 animals yearly, and not importing animals) and an "imported animal" (the offspring of an animal imported while pregnant). These definitions apply specifically to animal transfers within New Hampshire, clarifying which operations fall under certain regulations. The bill directly affects home-based breeders and animal transfer operations by setting clear boundaries for their activities. It becomes effective 60 days after passage, with no additional policy changes beyond these definitions.

Maddy summarySB 475 amends New Hampshire law to update the definition of "foster home" for animals, requiring that a licensed veterinarian must determine placement is in the animal's best interest for health, safety, and wellbeing - including for pregnant or lactating animals. Foster homes must be associated with and inspected by an animal shelter facility. This change directly affects animal shelters and foster home providers, who will now need to obtain a veterinarian's written determination for each animal placed in foster care. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

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 summarySB 526 creates a New Hampshire-Greece trade council to strengthen economic ties between the state and Greece. The council, composed of state officials, business representatives, and academic leaders, will promote trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. It can raise funds through donations and grants, with a dedicated non-lapsing fund in the state treasury to cover administrative costs. The council aims to build on New Hampshire's historic Greek-American connections and its status as a top U.S. trade partner for Greece.

Maddy summaryHB 1042 raises the state's unified contingent credit limit for New Hampshire's Business Finance Authority from $200 million to $450 million, effective June 1, 2026. This change directly affects the authority's ability to provide state-backed loans and guarantees for eligible business projects and programs. The bill modifies RSA 162-A:22 to increase the aggregate limit on these state guarantees, allowing the authority to support more financing for businesses without requiring new legislative approval for each project.

Maddy summaryHB 1469 requires massage therapy businesses employing more than one therapist to obtain a state license and undergo regular inspections by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). The bill establishes new health and safety standards for these businesses, including requirements for direct supervision by licensed therapists and procedures for license renewal and disciplinary actions. It also adds compensation for members of the massage therapists' advisory board and creates a new investigative paralegal position within the OPLC, with funding provided for this role. This legislation directly affects massage therapy businesses, the OPLC, and the advisory board by expanding regulatory oversight and operational requirements.

Maddy summarySB 408 requires health insurance policies in New Hampshire to cover prosthetic devices for adults over 19, expanding existing coverage that previously applied only to children under 19. The bill mandates coverage for activity-specific prosthetics (like those for sports) but limits this to one device every five years. It also requires insurers to cover necessary materials, instruction, and repairs for medically needed prosthetics, without annual limits. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to most group health insurance plans, excluding Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) plans.

Maddy summarySB 448 modifies New Hampshire's definition of "veteran" to include individuals discharged under honorable conditions (including those with a general discharge under honorable conditions), ensuring they qualify for state benefits. It establishes a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license for state-resident veterans meeting this definition, with a one-time fee adjusted based on the veteran's service-connected disability rating. This replaces annual license fees with a single payment, directly benefiting disabled veterans who previously faced eligibility barriers. The bill also updates multiple state statutes to align with the revised veteran definition, ensuring consistency across programs like employment preferences and tax exemptions.