A PARTIAL LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2009/2010
PROVIDE A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT THAT ACHIEVES EQUAL TREATMENT AND RESPECT OF ALL OUR CITIZENS
Marriage Equality – Eliminated discrimination of gay and lesbian couples in
New Hampshire by passing marriage equality. HB 436, HB 310, HB 73 (2009)
Voter Protection – Protected potential voters from disenfranchisement by
enhancing the penalty for “phone jamming,” a practice which has recently
been used to disrupt campaign calls in New Hampshire. HB 667 (2009)
Commission on Health Care Cost Containment – Will look at the health
care reimbursement system, including the impact of federal health care reform
and ways to encourage the use of incentives to improve quality and efficiency.
Goals of the commission include finding ways to promote competition in health
insurance, reduce or eliminate payment differentials, ensure access, fairly allocate
the burden of charity care, promote public access to cost information and contain
the increase in health care costs. SB 505 (2010)
Protect Kids from Bullying – With Keene Sen. Molly Kelly playing a leading
role, updated state law requiring schools to have policies against bullying,
adding a new definition for cyber bullying that addresses bullying through the
use of electronic devices including telephones, cellular phones, computers,
pagers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging and web sites. The
enhanced anti-bullying legislation would require school districts to educate staff
and volunteers so they can recognize and address bullying. HB 1523 (2010)
PRESERVATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE’S NATURAL RESOURCES
Electronic Waste – With leadership of Walpole Rep. Tara Sad, expanded the
definition of electronic waste to include computers and video display media
recorder/players, effectively outlawing the disposal of those hazardous items in
landfills. HB 338 (2009)
Strengthened environmental protections by increasing penalties for oil spills,
water pollution, and safe drinking water violations. HB 537, HB 538, HB 473, respectively (2009)
Energy Districts – Allowing municipalities to establish energy efficiency and
clean energy districts. HB 1554 (2010)
PRESERVE AND ENHANCE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND DIGNITY FOR ALL NEW HAMPSHIRE CITIZENS
Education – Led by Keene Sen. Molly Kelly, established an accountability
system to ensure NH schools are providing the opportunity for an adequate
education. The bill is the final step in the process to define, cost, fund and develop
a system of accountability for providing a constitutionally adequate education, as
mandated by the state Supreme Court. SB 180 (2009)
Supported our troops by initiating a commission to study the effects of post-
traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury suffered by New Hampshire
soldiers and Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. SB 57 (2009)
Autism – Led by Keene Rep. Suzanne Butcher, adopted “Connor’s Law” to
ensure insurance coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders. HB 569
PROTECT PRIVACY AND ENSURE JUSTICE AND SECURITY OF OUR CITIZENS
Sex and Labor Trafficking – Protected the most vulnerable by clearly defining
the crime of human sex and labor trafficking, assuring that New Hampshire will
not become a safe haven for traffickers. HB 474 (2009)
“Use Tax” – Protected New Hampshire businesses and tourism by outlawing
the “Use Tax” which would allow for other states to tax their residents who
choose to shop in New Hampshire. SB 5 (2009)
WARN Act – Protected New Hampshire’s working people by passing the
New Hampshire WARN act that requires businesses larger then 75 people to give
advance notice of 60 days if they are going to have a massive lay off. SB 40
Texting – Improved safety on New Hampshire roadways by prohibiting the
distracting practice of writing text messages while driving. HB 34 (2009)
New Hampshire Working – an innovative jobs initiative aimed at helping
workers and companies recover from the recession. Designed to help
companies and workers avoid layoffs, help unemployed workers return to
work and provide training to help workers get new jobs. SB 501 (2010)
“Missy’s bill”- This change in law will treat strangulation as a second-degree
assault, a class B felony. In the past, most strangulation cases were treated as
misdemeanors. The bill has widespread support among victims’ advocates and
law enforcement. HB 1634 (2010)
Criminal Justice Reinvestment Act – Will improve public safety and save
money by lowering recidivism. While New Hampshire’s crime rate has remained
low and stable, the number of people incarcerated has grown. Research found
this was largely a function of parolees and probationers failing to meet conditions
requiring them to seek treatment for substance abuse or mental illness. The
legislation calls for redirecting a portion of the funds currently spent for
incarceration to improve supervision in the community as well as provide more
community-based treatment for substance abuse and mental health. Plans also
call for varied sanctions to respond quickly and firmly to parolees or probationers
who violate any of the terms of their release. The legislation also would ensure
that anyone leaving prison would be subject to at least nine months of post-release
supervision. SB 500 (2010)
Emergency Notification System – Created a plan to develop an emergency
notification system that would enable recorded calls to go out to communities
during an emergency. The bill has the support of the state’s emergency
management officials, first responders and the New Hampshire Association of
Fire Chiefs, among others. HB 213 (2010)
Protected business by strengthening the retail theft statute to include penalties
for fraudulent retail transactions and dealing in counterfeit goods, as well as
enhanced penalties for people who attempt to avoid detection or apprehension
during the commission of theft. HB 471 (2009)
