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AMHERST – Lorraine Alice Hamilton of Amherst, New Hampshire, Beach Haven, New Jersey and Rancho Mirage, California died June 14, 2020 from pancreatic cancer at her home in California. She was 73 years old and a participant in the trial of a new cancer drug at NYU Langone in New York City since April 2019. She hoped that results from the trial would improve care for other patients who develop this cancer. She was with her family when she died and was
State of NH
Senator Whitley and Senator Chandley’s Statement on HB 135, Prohibiting No-Knock Warrants
CONCORD – Following today’s vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee on HB 135, prohibiting no-knock war rants, Senator Becky Whitley and Senator Shannon Chandley issued the following joint statement:
Assistant Democratic Leader Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton) and Senator Shannon Chandley (D-Amherst), stated, “Over the past several years, our state and country have engaged in long overdue conversations on racial justice, the history of policing, and how policing is conducted today. New Hampshire’s Police Standards and Training Council strives to train our officers to the highest level, and HB 135 would have reinforced that standard. No-knock warrants are used in New Hampshire, often without any formal written policies concerning their use. This bill was a vital step to acknowledge and address the areas of our policing that can, and should, be reformed, such as setting important standards for the use of no-knock warrants.
“Following the murder of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, the nation bore witness to the unconscionable and irreparable harm that can be caused to an individual, a community, and a nation through the use of unchecked bias and harmful policing practices. We must continue to say her name and, as legislators, fervently advocate for policies that address bias and dangerous policies in policing.
“HB 135 would have been a monumental step forward given the current lack of structure around no-knock warrants in New Hampshire, particularly because the bill was consistent with standards which apply to federal law enforcement in New Hampshire. We are incredibly disappointed to see the committee recommendation of Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 135 out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, as it signals to Granite Staters that we need to do more work in having these difficult but important conversations.”
Senator Prentiss and Senator Chandley’s Statement on the ITL of HB 224, Repealing the Criminal and Civil Penalties From The Fetal Life Protection Act
CONCORD – In response to today’s vote of Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 224, repealing the criminal and civil penalties from the fetal life protection act, by Senate Republicans, Senator Sue Prentiss and Senator Shannon Chandley issued the following statement:
S enator Sue Prentiss (D-Lebanon) and Senator Shannon Chandley (D-Amherst), stated, “We’ve heard from countless Granite Staters, who are directly impacted by this law, potentially criminalizing doctors for doing their job - for providing compassionate, quality care to their patients - has a profound impact on the recruitment and retention of physicians, particularly OBGYNs. It is a fact that labor and delivery units are closing at alarming rates in this state. We came into this law operating with 15 birthing units, not 26, which is a gap that must be taken seriously. Why come to New Hampshire and face criminalization when you can go across the river and not face criminal penalties for providing health care.
“Pregnant women, particularly those with high risk pregnancies, do not want to be hours away from the nearest hospital when seconds count. These healthcare deserts make it harder for the state to attract, much needed, younger families and qualified OBGYNs. Senate Democrats have a mission to build a prosperous, more inclusive New Hampshire - which includes a system of care for women and their families. We are tremendously disappointed by today’s vote by the Senate majority, but we are far from discouraged in our fight.”
