HB 1378 would require healthcare providers to give parents or legal guardians full access to their minor child's electronic medical records (including online patient portals), except in three specific cases: 1) when the minor can legally consent to treatment without parents (e.g., certain reproductive or mental health services), 2) when a protective order or court ruling prohibits access, or 3) when a provider documents in writing that disclosure could cause abuse or neglect. This bill directly affects parents, guardians, and healthcare providers by changing how medical records are shared. It aims to support parental involvement in children’s healthcare decisions while preserving existing legal protections for minors in sensitive situations. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
SB 533 requires New Hampshire's education freedom account program administrator to seek multiple bids from scholarship organizations every three years for overseeing and operating the program. This change affects how the state selects contractors managing the program, ensuring periodic competition for these contracts. The bill mandates a competitive bidding process every three years, subject to governor and executive council approval, to promote transparency in awarding contracts. It does not alter the program's eligibility or funding structure, only the contracting mechanism for its administration.
HB 1335 requires physicians to disclose to patients any financial incentives exceeding $5,000 received from a single source (like drug manufacturers) for preferential promotions related to specific treatments. It directly affects patients receiving care from providers who receive such payments, ensuring they learn about potential conflicts before prescriptions. The law mandates written disclosure as part of informed consent, including the source, amount, and a statement that the recommendation is based on clinical judgment. This applies only to incentives tied to the treatment being prescribed, not general practice income. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
SB 532 modifies the Education Freedom Savings Account Oversight Committee's purpose to require it to review student data, eligibility requirements, and how funds are spent under the education savings account program. The bill mandates that committee meetings occur at least monthly, with live broadcasts and recordings posted online for public access. It also requires all meeting agendas, minutes, and annual reports to be published on the Department of Education's website. The committee must submit its annual report to the legislature by November 30 each year, focusing on program implementation and potential improvements.
HB 1071 repeals a legal immunity that previously protected healthcare facilities (like hospitals and clinics) when they followed rules or orders issued during New Hampshire's COVID-19 state of emergency. This bill specifically removes the immunity provision found in RSA 21-P:42-a, meaning facilities could now face legal liability for actions taken under those emergency directives. The repeal takes effect upon the bill's passage, directly affecting healthcare providers that operated under pandemic-era mandates. It makes no new rules but changes the legal landscape for facilities complying with past emergency orders.
HB 1022 standardizes the form parents or guardians must use to claim a religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools or childcare. The form must include a specific statement: "I, [parent/guardian name], hereby attest that I sincerely hold religious beliefs that dictate the refusal to accept the required vaccination(s)," followed by their signature and date. This bill directly affects parents or guardians seeking to exempt their children from immunization mandates based on religious beliefs. It specifies the exact wording for the exemption form without changing the existing policy on religious exemptions.
SB 576 adds clear definitions for key terms in New Hampshire's education freedom account (EFA) program, including "program administrator" (the entity managing the EFA program), "applicant" (a parent or guardian applying for an EFA), and "vendor" (an approved provider of education services). The bill requires the program administrator to submit detailed quarterly reports starting in 2026, covering data like the number of applications, approved students, fund distributions to vendors, student demographics, and expense categories. These reports must be submitted electronically within 30 days after each quarter and made publicly available online to ensure transparency. Failure to submit reports on time could trigger oversight actions by the state education department.
HB 191 prohibits transporting, recruiting, or harboring a pregnant minor under 18 (unemancipated) within New Hampshire to obtain an abortion without parental permission, imposing criminal penalties. It classifies first offenses as class A misdemeanors and repeat offenses (two prior violations) as class B felonies. Exemptions include parents/guardians, those with written parental consent, common carriers, and emergency medical personnel. The bill also allows civil lawsuits for wrongful death if a violation leads to an abortion, with damages covering economic, noneconomic, and punitive costs. This directly affects individuals assisting minors in accessing abortion services without parental involvement.
HB 510 establishes specific due process protections for students, student organizations, and faculty at New Hampshire's public colleges and universities facing disciplinary actions. It requires written notice of allegations 7 days before hearings, access to evidence 5 days prior, a presumption of innocence (requiring proof a violation occurred), the right to cross-examine witnesses, and an appeal process. The bill ensures these rights apply before any discipline is imposed, except in cases of imminent threat to safety, and clarifies that existing union contracts for faculty remain in effect until expiration. Public institutions must follow these procedures or provide stronger protections, but cannot offer fewer rights than specified.
HB 1130 establishes a new program to evaluate judges' performance in New Hampshire's superior and circuit courts. The program requires evaluations every three years using anonymous questionnaires from court participants (like attorneys and jurors), self-evaluations by judges, in-court observations, and analysis of case processing times. Unsatisfactory evaluations trigger a follow-up within 12 months, and annual public reports on the program’s implementation must be published, while individual evaluation details remain confidential except for disciplinary actions or judicial appointments.
SB 603 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to internally transfer existing state funds to cover any shortfall in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding caused by reduced federal support. It applies specifically to the 2026-2027 budget period and mandates that transfers exceeding $100,000 require approval from the Fiscal Committee, governor, and council. The bill does not provide new funding or create new costs; it simply directs the department to reallocate current resources to maintain SNAP operations. This addresses an expected $4.6 million state cost increase starting October 2026 due to federal funding changes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with no net fiscal impact as it only shifts existing funds.
SB 572 exempts the sale of the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property (located at 105 Pleasant Street, Concord) from standard New Hampshire hospital real estate sale requirements. It directs the Department of Administrative Services to first offer the property to the City of Concord and then Merrimack County at fair market value, with a deadline of January 1, 2026, for acceptance. If unsold by that date, the department must issue a request for proposals by June 30, 2027, with all sale proceeds going to the state general fund. This bill specifically affects the state's process for selling this particular property, not hospital operations or services.
