Healthcare

passed · New Hampshire · Senate Aug 21, 2026

SB 498: relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.

SB 498 creates the New Hampshire Children's Behavioral Health Association to fund mental health services for children under 18. The association will collect mandatory assessments (fees) from insurance companies, stop-loss carriers, and third-party administrators covering children in the state, excluding Medicaid recipients. Funds gathered will be deposited into a dedicated fund managed by the insurance commissioner and used to pay care management entities providing specific services like intensive in-home therapy, structured outpatient programs, and care coordination. This directly affects insurers (who pay assessments), care management organizations (who receive payments), and children under 18 with covered health plans (who gain access to funded services).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates mandatory funding for children's mental health services via insurance assessments, directly advancing healthcare access for minors under 18.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1798: relative to the coverage of diapers under the state Medicaid plan.

HB 1798 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver by November 1, 2026, to add diaper coverage under Medicaid for infants' first year of life. The bill directly affects Medicaid-eligible infants (approximately 4,000 annually) and their families, providing coverage for 100 diapers per month during the child's first 12 months. It appropriates $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund the program, with federal matching funds expected to cover most costs. Implementation depends on federal CMS approval, with a target start date of May 1, 2027, if approved.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 for Medicaid diaper coverage, funding an essential public service for vulnerable families.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to include diapers for infants, increasing access to essential health-related supplies under public health program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1584: directing the department of health and human services to provide notice of medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements and relative to notice of drug pricing options.

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.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill simplifies religious exemption process (any written statement) and requires prominent notice, potentially increasing vaccine avoidance and weakening public health program effectiveness.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 10, 2026

HB 1705: establishing an employee assistance program for small town and volunteer first responders.

HB 1705 establishes a First Responders Support Fund to cover enrollment costs for small town and volunteer first responders into the state’s existing Employee Assistance Program (EAP). It directly affects first responders in communities with no more than 5 full-time paid staff, including volunteer departments. The fund, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, uses state appropriations (initially $1 for FY 2026-2027) and accepts gifts, grants, or donations to cover EAP enrollment fees. The EAP provides mental health support, including services for PTSD, with the department required to report annually on fund usage and program outcomes. This bill does not create new services but expands access to an existing state EAP for eligible small-community responders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds EAP enrollment for first responders, providing mental health support access via state healthcare program.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides funding for first responders' access to Employee Assistance Program, enhancing workplace mental health support and benefits for workers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 360: prohibiting public schools from performing surgical procedures or prescribing pharmaceutical drugs, relative to licensing requirements for health care facilities established within a 15 mile radius of a critical access hospital, and relative to the administration of prescription medication to minors by youth camp staff.

HB 360 prohibits public schools in New Hampshire from performing diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, or prescribing pharmaceutical drugs. It directly affects school nurses and school physicians by removing their authority to conduct these medical activities within school settings. The bill amends RSA 200:27 to explicitly state that school health services may not include these medical functions. This policy change takes effect 60 days after enactment, limiting school-based medical interventions to non-invasive care.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts school-based medical services by prohibiting surgical procedures and drug prescriptions, limiting healthcare access in schools per bill's explicit language.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1356: relative to the statute of limitations for bringing a private right of action for violation of the statute prohibiting medical procedures and treatments intended to alter a minor's gender, authorizing the application of sunscreen in schools and camps without a licensed health care provider's note or prescription, and establishing a skin cancer prevention education program.

HB 1356 extends the statute of limitations for minors to sue providers for violating laws prohibiting gender-altering medical procedures. It changes the deadline from 2 years to 10 years after a minor turns 18 to file a private lawsuit. This directly affects minors who received such medical treatments before age 18 and wish to pursue legal action. The bill modifies RSA 332-N:3, II, which governs when claims for violations of the gender-procedure ban must be filed. The fiscal note indicates no state or local cost impact.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareExtends statute of limitations for minors to sue over banned gender procedures, reinforcing restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare access for minors.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed both · New Hampshire · House May 21, 2026

HB 1449: limiting times vaccine clinics may operate at schools, with certain exceptions.

HB 1449 prohibits vaccination clinics from operating at public elementary or secondary schools during school hours and requires a parent or legal guardian to be present with their child during any vaccination administered at such a clinic. The bill directly affects students receiving school-based vaccines, parents/guardians, and school staff coordinating these clinics. Key provisions include banning school-hour clinics and mandating parental accompaniment for immunizations, while exempting school nurses' existing duties under RSA 200:38. This policy change modifies how school vaccination events are scheduled and administered, without altering vaccine requirements or eligibility.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts school-based vaccine access by banning school-hour clinics and requiring parental presence, limiting public health program participation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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failed · New Hampshire · House May 8, 2026

HB 1022: relative to religious exemption from immunization requirements.

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.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareStandardizes religious exemptions for school vaccines, potentially reducing immunization rates and weakening public health programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · New Hampshire · House May 5, 2026

HB 1719: removing Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which immunization is required under state law.

HB 1719 removes Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which childhood immunization is required in New Hampshire. This change directly affects children enrolled in schools or childcare programs, as parents will no longer be required to ensure their children receive the Hepatitis B vaccine for enrollment. The bill amends state law by deleting "Hepatitis B" from the mandated immunization list, which includes diseases like measles and polio. This policy shift is expected to reduce state vaccine purchase costs by approximately $20,000 in the first year and $82,000 annually thereafter, as the requirement is eliminated. The Hepatitis B vaccine would remain available on a voluntary basis for parents who choose to use it.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRemoves mandatory Hep B vaccination requirement, weakening public health initiative by reducing vaccine coverage mandates for school enrollment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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vetoed · New Hampshire · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 349: relative to the practice of optometry and authorization to perform ophthalmic laser procedures.

HB 349 authorizes licensed optometrists who meet specific board-certification criteria to perform three eye laser procedures: laser capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, and laser peripheral iridotomy. It directly affects optometrists seeking to expand their scope of practice, requiring them to complete approved education, training, and experience before performing these procedures. The bill mandates the Board of Registration in Optometry to establish rules for certification, including minimum training standards, proctoring requirements, and outcome reporting for these procedures. The law takes effect 60 days after passage, with no new state funding provided.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes optometrists to perform specific eye laser procedures, expanding scope of practice and improving patient access to specialized eye care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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