Health and Human Services

SB 501 authorizes physicians, physician associates, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to order seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency at New Hampshire hospitals and designated facilities. It modifies state law (RSA 135-C:57) to explicitly allow these healthcare providers to implement such measures without patient consent when a safety emergency occurs. The bill specifically applies to situations where immediate action is needed to protect a patient or others from harm. This change clarifies existing procedures for emergency interventions in healthcare settings.

SB 520 allows physicians to perform breast surgery on minors for non-medical reasons, expanding existing exceptions. It adds a new provision permitting the procedure "at the election of the minor in consultation with her primary care physician," removing prior restrictions that limited surgery to medical conditions like gynecomastia or congenital deformities. The bill directly affects minors seeking breast reduction or reconstruction surgery who do not qualify under existing medical necessity exceptions. It requires the minor’s consent and physician consultation but does not mandate parental consent. The change modifies New Hampshire law to include this patient-choice option for breast surgeries.

HB 1337 repeals the New Hampshire council on autism spectrum disorders by removing RSA 171-A:32 (the council's existence) and RSA 171-A:33 I(d) (which required council representation on another body). This bill also deletes a reference to the council from RSA 265:3-c, which relates to a driver program offering blue envelopes for people with autism. The repeal directly affects the council itself and eliminates its role in advisory functions. The bill makes no new policy changes but removes existing statutory language, effective 60 days after passage.

HB 232 protects New Hampshire healthcare providers' right to refuse participation in abortions, sterilizations, or artificial contraception based on religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. It requires health care institutions to prominently post notices about these rights and prohibits discrimination against providers who conscientiously object. Violations by institutions carry civil fines ($1,000-$10,000 per occurrence), while providers denied employment or other benefits due to objections may seek triple damages plus attorney fees. The law applies to all medical professionals in New Hampshire, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and students, and takes effect January 1, 2026.

HB 1584 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to prominently display notices about medical and religious immunization exemptions on all vaccination-related materials, such as websites, brochures, or social media posts. It specifies that the notice must appear as visibly as main content - like a headline - and not just in footnotes. The bill also allows parents to use any written statement (not a specific form) to claim religious exemptions for their children's vaccinations. Additionally, the department must submit an annual report to the legislature detailing all promotional materials, compliance with the notice requirement, and any penalties assessed for noncompliance. This bill directly affects the Department of Health, schools, and healthcare providers distributing immunization information.