This Mother’s Day, the NHFPI team is recognizing the hard work of New Hampshire mothers by doing what we do best: highlighting key data that underscores both the challenges mothers face and the vital contributions they make across the Granite State.

Below are five key facts surrounding New Hampshire’s mothers and families.

Mothers with children under age 18 make up 13% of NH labor force

Based on 2020-2024 aggregated data, there were approximately 125,418 Granite State mothers between the ages of 20 to 64 with children under 18 years old who lived with them. Among this group, about 80% were in the labor force.

Mothers ages 20 to 64 with at least one child under 18 years old made up about 13% of the total 2024 Granite State labor force. However, labor force participation varied depending on the age and number of children in the household. Here’s how that total 13% breaks down:

• 3%: Mothers with at least one child under age 6
• 2%: Mothers with at least one child under 6 and at least one child between 6-17
• 8%: Mothers with at least one child between ages 6-17

While many parents may choose to remain out of the labor force to care for children, the high cost and low availability of child care may push many mothers to reduce their work hours or leave the workforce entirely. The average cost for an infant and four-year-old in center-based care in New Hampshire was nearly $30,000 per year during the 2022-2024 period; this equates to about 19.0% of household income for median-income married couples with children under 18 ($157,670 in median household income in 2020-2024), and 59.1% for median-income single mothers ($50,766).

More than half of NH mothers took unpaid maternity leave in 2023

While maternity leave can allow women to remain in the labor force after giving birth and bond with their newborn, access to paid leave may be limited for some Granite State mothers. According to 2023 data collected by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, 52.2% of mothers took paid leave and 54.5% took unpaid leave, with some mothers taking a combination of both; 7.1% did not take any leave from work after their child was born.

While the survey data does not specify how long mothers were out of work, both paid and unpaid leave time varies depending on workplace and governmental policy. The New Hampshire Paid Family and Medical Leave (NH PFML) Program is a voluntary insurance program that provides workers with 60% wage replacement for up to six weeks per year when they take time off for qualifying life events, including caring for a new child. However, unawareness of the program, a lack of access among smaller employers, concerns around job loss, and affordability constraints can deter enrollment, with only around 3% of Granite State workers participating in the program in 2025.

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave with job protection for eligible employees, although many families may not be able to forgo that income and still cover household costs. Nationally, new mothers returning to the workforce take an average of ten weeks of maternity leave, including both paid and unpaid time.

About 23% of all single female-headed families with children live in poverty

According to 2020-2024 aggregated data, around 2.3% of married-couple Granite State families with at least one related child under five years old lived in poverty. In contrast, single female-headed families with a child or children all under five years old were more than thirteen times more likely to live in poverty, with over one out of four families (29.3%) having household incomes below the federal poverty threshold.

According to the same five-year data, having at least two related children, one under age five and one between the ages of five and 17 years, increased a family’s likelihood of living in poverty. Around 47.8% of single female-headed households with this family composition were in poverty, compared to only about 2.3% of married-couple families.

Healthcare barriers remain for postpartum mental health services

Adequate health care access before, during, and following pregnancy is crucial for maintaining and improving the health status of a mother and her baby. According to the most recent data from 2023, around 85.9% of Granite State mothers started prenatal care during the first trimester, with 88.5% attending at least nine prenatal care visits throughout their pregnancy. Around 94.7% reported having at least one postpartum checkup.

Despite relatively high prenatal and postpartum care, engagement with the health care system before pregnancy was more limited. Among those who had a health care visit in the 12 months before their pregnancy, 69.2% had a regular family or primary care visit, 67.3% had a regular OB/GYN visit, and 20.4% had a visit for family planning services.

New mothers are also more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. In 2023, about 69.7% of Granite State mothers reported being able to receive needed mental health services following birth. Among those who were not able to receive that needed care, the most common reasons identified by mothers included not having the time due to work, child care, or other commitments (44.9%); not knowing where to go for services (40.2%); not being able to afford care (24.1%); and not being able to get an appointment as soon as they needed (20.0%).

Medicaid finances more than a fifth of healthcare services for new Granite State mothers

Medicaid is a state-federal fiscal partnership that provides health coverage for New Hampshire adults and children with low incomes, people with disabilities, certain older adults, and other eligible populations. In 2023, New Hampshire expanded Medicaid coverage for new mothers, permitting up to 12 months of postpartum coverage regardless of income changes.

Medicaid remains crucial for providing health care access for new mothers and their children across the state. In 2023, around 21% of births in New Hampshire were financed through Medicaid, and nearly 24% of mothers had their prenatal and postpartum care covered by Medicaid. Future data, if made available, can provide more insight into the results of recently expanded coverage.

On this Mother’s Day, these data highlight how New Hampshire mothers play a crucial role in supporting families, communities, and the state’s economy, while also navigating financial and health-related challenges. Policies that expand access to affordable child care, paid leave opportunities, and accessible health care can help ensure Granite State mothers and families have the support they need to thrive.

Williams is a senior policy analyst at NHFPI.

A crazed ex-fireman allegedly launched into a violent rampage after his ex-girlfriend dumped him — and was “ready for war” when he drove eight hours intending to kill her family in New Jersey, according to prosecutors.

Brian John Lanzim, 37, was armed with two guns and a bulletproof vest when he headed from Bangor, Maine to South Toms River, after the mother of his two kids broke up with him and filed a temporary restraining order against him, authorities said.

He allegedly wanted to kill off his ex’s family to get custody of his kids, according to prosecutors — but his lawyer claimed he was actually trying to die “by suicide by cops,” according to Patch.com.

“He absolutely f–ked up. He f–ked up big time,” Lanzim’s good friend, who asked not to be named, told The Post.

The former Toms River firefighter allegedly sent terrifying threats to his ex on April 29 — letting her know he was armed, dangerous and on his way over.

“If your father is there I’m going to take him out” and beat him “pulseless,” he allegedly told the woman, as Ocean County Judge Pamela M. Snyder read aloud in court Friday morning.

“You don’t know crazy yet,” he also allegedly warned his ex during a chilling FaceTime call, NJ.com reported.

The people inside the home he was targeting fled the scene and alerted police long before he arrived, authorities said.

When Lanzim showed up after 9:40 p.m., he allegedly floored his Toyota 4Runner over the lawn in a sick attempt to run over the waiting cops, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

The officers then dove behind a fence and watched as gun-wielding Lanzim pounded on a locked door of the vacant house, prosecutors said.

“Brian, put it down!” one of the Toms River police officers demanded, according to NJ.com.

“No!” Lanzim resisted, per the body camera footage.

Police then fired at Lanzim, striking him in his hand and pelvis nonfatality. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune before being moved to Ocean County Jail.

Investigators found a loaded rifle and a large amount of ammunition magazines in his car, prosecutors said. He reportedly had a handgun on him when he was shot.

He’s been charged with three counts of attempted murder, two counts of weapons possession for an unlawful purpose, unlawful use of body armor, burglary, terroristic threats and 22 counts of possession of a large capacity of ammunition magazines.

“He was ready for war,” Assistant Prosecutor Mara Brater said at his detention hearing — warning that if the victims hadn’t fled the home and called police before he arrived, he would have committed even more heinous crimes.

Brater went on to claim that Lanzim’s sinister plan was to kill or harm his ex’s family so he could get full custody.

But Lanzim’s lawyer Marissa Koerner brazenly argued his alleged violent outburst was caused by a mental breakdown triggered by the breakup. He also has bipolar disorder and was in treatment for it, she said.

“‘I f–king lost her, man. Tell her and the boys I love them,’” Lanzim allegedly said, per an affidavit Koerner read aloud.

“He loves his family,” she argued.

By wearing a bulletproof vest, Lanzim was trying to “force a kill shot to the head” during his heated exchange with police, the lawyer told the court.

But Brater shot down these claims — alleging that his targets begged him not to go through with his horrifying plot.

He also allegedly has a track-record of violence — including an instance where he pulled a gun on his ex and said, “If I can’t have you, no one can.”

The judge ordered that Lanzim will remain in custody awaiting trial, according to court records. He’s due back in court on May 18.

Lanzim was a fireman and EMT in Ocean County for about 18 years before heading to Bangor in September 2025 for a new job.

“He couldn’t find employment in New Jersey,” his close friend claimed. “I’m not sure what was going on, I guess things fell apart up there [in Bangor].”

Lanzim’s friend spoke with him just days before the incident.

“I had messaged him and asked him if he was okay. He said no. I said, ‘does it have to do with the kid’s mother?’ And he said yes,” the man said.

“I asked, ‘you need me to call you?’ and he was like, ‘I’m okay, I’m just at Applebee’s trying to find the bottom of the glass right now.’”

The next time he heard Lanzim’s name was when he made headlines for the alleged horrors.

“I hope that kid [Lanzim] gets the help he needs,” the friend said. “Brian sometimes doesn’t act like an adult, and where he is now and where he’s going to be going, he has no choice but to. I would say man up.”

Lanzim’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

“This bill does not legalize adult-use cannabis, but eventually we probably will. If we have this board set up ahead of time, they can do it in a professional manner.”

By Ian Karbal, Pennsylvania Capital-Star

A state Senate committee has advanced a bill to create a Cannabis Control Board that would allow more oversight of the existing medical marijuana program. It would also regulate hemp-derived products, which contain intoxicating cannabinoids and are currently sold in head shops and gas stations around the commonwealth.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), who has advocated for the legalization of recreational marijuana, says it would not legalize adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania, but he hopes it can serve as a step towards that goal.

“I think we need the board whether we ever legalize adult-use cannabis,” Laughlin said. “But if and when we do legalize adult-use cannabis, this is kind of laying the foundation for that.”

The bill has the support of cannabis industry groups, and has garnered several co-sponsors who have been hesitant on previous efforts to legalize recreational marijuana. It’s also earned opponents who are in favor of a broader legalization effort.

How would the board work?

Senate Bill 49 would take regulatory authority of the existing medical marijuana program from the state Department of Health and transfer it to a new Cannabis Control Board—sort of like how the Gaming Control Board oversees gambling in the commonwealth.

‘While the Department of Health has worked hard within its authority, it was never designed to manage a rapidly growing industry, resulting in a program bogged down by slow responses, inconsistent oversight and a lack of clarity—frustrating patients and legitimate businesses,” Laughlin said in a statement.

The new board, he said, would be able to move more quickly and to make decisions affecting the program without always requiring the approval of the legislature.

“The goal is obviously, if we create this board ahead of time, we can run all things cannabis in Pennsylvania in a professional manner,” Laughlin said. “And if you have a board that is set up, and they are allowed to promulgate regulations, we won’t have to pass a separate bill every time something pops up.”

The panel would also take on the regulation of hemp-derived products like delta-8 THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids.

These products, which are available for sale at stores around Pennsylvania, proliferated after the 2018 federal Farm Bill redefined hemp in an attempt to allow farmers to more easily grow the crop, even when it contains trace amounts of delta-9 THC, the intoxicating substance in marijuana.

But the legal change also opened a loophole, allowing people to process those hemp plants into products with other intoxicating compounds derived from it, like delta-8 THC.

The items are now commonly found in stores across the state, face virtually no regulatory oversight, and are generally not evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA has warned that the proliferation of the products has led to an uptick in calls to poison control centers and reports of so-called adverse events. The agency says the products can be mislabeled or contain potentially harmful chemicals.

And Laughlin says, in some cases, they’re sold to young Pennsylvanians without ID requirements.

The effort to create a cannabis control board in Pennsylvania has earned praise from the pro-cannabis lobbying group, Responsible PA, which represents many cannabis businesses like dispensaries operating under Pennsylvania’s medical program. Their clients’ products face significantly more regulation than over-the-counter hemp-derived products.

“I would say this is a step forward,” said Monica McCafferty, a Responsible PA spokesperson. “We know that about 70 percent of Pennsylvanians do want adult-use legalization, so we as an advocate group are focused on that, but Senate Bill 49 is a step forward.”

She praised the effort to regulate hemp-derived products and also called it a move in the right direction, “in terms of keeping the conversation going and ultimately getting to a place where we have comprehensive cannabis regulation.”

Some sellers of medical cannabis have also embraced the effort.

“While licensed marijuana operators adhere to some of the nation’s strictest safety and testing protocols, 87 percent of Pennsylvanians are unaware that hemp-derived products are not currently held to those same requirements,” said Marcus Peter, the vice president of external affairs for Terrapin, a company that was among the earliest recipients of a marijuana grower/processor licenses through Pennsylvania’s medical program. “By establishing a Cannabis Control Board, we can ensure that every operator—regardless of the product’s origin—meets the same high bar for consumer safety and lab-tested quality.”

Notably, the federal definition of hemp is set to change again in November in an attempt to close what’s known as the “hemp loophole.” The change in law will severely restrict the amount of THC that hemp-derived products sold in stores can contain, and ban synthetic cannabinoids altogether.

Will it lead to legalization?

While Laughlin has stressed that his bill would not legalize recreational cannabis in Pennsylvania, he told reporters that he hopes it will be “a step that’s needed to make that happen.”

“This bill does not legalize adult-use cannabis, but eventually we probably will,” he added. “If we have this board set up ahead of time, they can do it in a professional manner.”

Laughlin has long been a supporter of legalizing cannabis since a time, he said, the stance was “cutting edge” for a Republican.

As it stands, the Republican-controlled Senate remains the largest obstacle to legalizing recreational cannabis.

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), for his part, has included legalizing cannabis in each of his annual budget proposals since taking office. House Democrats have also expressed support for legalization, and passed a bill to that end last year, which died in the Senate.

But Laughlin is hopeful that times are changing. More Republicans, he said, have expressed openness to legalizing cannabis for recreational use in recent months and years. That’s been especially true since the Trump administration took steps to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III substance, which acknowledges potential medical benefits and clears the way for more research on its effects.

“Some of our more conservative members are watching the president kind of wade into this, if you will. And times are changing pretty rapidly,” he said.

It’s unclear what practical effects, if any, rescheduling could have in marijuana-related criminal cases, the existing medical market, or how the substance is treated in the commonwealth.

Sen. President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) is one of the bill’s co-sponsors. As Senate president, she plays a key role in deciding which committees bills are sent to, and whether they receive a floor vote in the chamber. In the past, she’s expressed hesitance about efforts to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Pennsylvania.

A spokesperson for Ward did not respond to questions from the Capital-Star about her support of the bill or where she stands on recreational legalization.

On the other hand, Laughlin’s bill was opposed by all Democrats on the Senate Law & Justice Committee, where it received a 6-5 vote Monday. Sen. Dawn Keefer (R-York) joined every Democrat on the panel in opposing it.

A spokesperson for Senate Democrats said the caucus is in favor of full legalization, but opposes what they see as a stop-gap measure, especially as key figures in the Republican party continue to oppose recreational cannabis.

Their statement cited a recent comment from Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacey Garrity, who told a Philadelphia NBC station, “I don’t support legalizing recreational marijuana… [The legislature is] never going to pass it, not as long as Senate Republicans are in control of the Senate.”

“Senate Democrats have long championed legalizing recreational marijuana as the right and smart move for the Commonwealth,” the spokesperson said. “SB 49 does not move us closer to this goal. Senate Democrats are committed to ensuring that cannabis products are safe and regulated, but SB 49 does not meet our standards.

“Perhaps most importantly, the Republican candidate for Governor made it clear that Senate Republicans are not interested in legalizing adult-use recreational cannabis,” they said. “Pennsylvania is leaving money on the table by entertaining distractions about a regulatory board in the absence of a conversation about legalizing adult-use marijuana.”

A spokesperson for Shapiro did not respond to questions about whether the governor supports the effort.

All of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states, save West Virginia, have legalized recreational marijuana. The Independent Fiscal Office has estimated that regulated recreational marijuana could bring in $140 million in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which would grow to over $430 million annually by 2031.

Laughlin said he thinks the Cannabis Control Board bill has a “very good chance” of receiving a full Senate vote in June.

This story was first published by Pennsylvania Capital-Star.