In 2011, the New Hampshire legislature eliminated funding for Guardian ad Litem (GAL) services for indigent families in divorce and parenting cases, creating a two-tiered system where only those who could afford GAL services had access to them. Based on extensive interviews with key stakeholders, including GALs, judges, legislators, and…
Those involved in criminal proceedings in the United States must be "competent to stand trial," meaning they must understand their charges, the consequences of the charges, legal processes and participants, and opportunities to participate in their own defense. Individuals deemed "incompetent" to stand trial have: 1) a potential mental disorder/cognitive…
As New Hampshire grapples with dwindling landfill capacity alongside rising waste generation, it is critical to explore sustainable waste management strategies that emphasize solid waste reduction, practical and environmental management, while protecting economic profitability. This report examines current solid waste practices in New Hampshire and provides recommendations based on successful…
Vermont's Global Warming Solutions Act sets significant emissions reduction mandates by 2025, 2030, and 2050. Reducing emissions in Vermont's thermal sector is one component for reaching these goals. We consider the impacts of household adoption of weatherization, cold climate heat pumps, biofuels, and natural gas on Vermont's climate goals. We…
As climate change transforms global weather patterns, extreme weather events, especially flooding, will increase in severity. Following the July 2023 flooding event, Vermont suffered catastrophic physical, monetary, and social losses. The state had previously implemented some flood resilience measures following Hurricane Irene in 2011, but Vermont state and local governments…
Expanding nuclear energy production is increasingly considered crucial to attaining a dependable, large-scale, low-carbon energy future. In the last 30 years, however, only one reactor in the U.S. has successfully been licensed, constructed, and made operational. Advanced nuclear technology offers a variety of innovative approaches to address some of the…
This research brief focuses on the development of affordable housing in the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Region (UVLSR) of New Hampshire. The region faces an ever-present housing shortage that affects low and moderate-income families, limiting their access to livable housing in both the rental and homeowner markets, diminishing the workforce…
In January 2023, New Hampshire became the first state to implement a voluntary paid family and medical leave program.¹ In addition to expanding paid family and medical leave to state employees and allowing employers to purchase coverage for their employees through the state program, under the voluntary program, individuals who…
The New Hampshire Circuit Court Navigator Program currently operates with two court employees to provide legal information and assistance to self-represented litigants (SRLs). This report highlights the current effectiveness of the Navigator Program and provides recommendations for how the Program can continue to grow sustainably and expand access to justice…
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental and health concerns posed by Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and various other chemical families commonly found in consumer products. Vermont State S. 25 seeks to address these concerns; if passed, it would prohibit the manufacturing, sales, and…