Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1077: including domestic violence prevention as a wellness subject to be taught to pupils.

HB 1077 requires New Hampshire public schools to include domestic violence prevention education within the existing health, physical education, and wellness curriculum for all students. It amends state law to explicitly mandate that school boards teach this topic alongside other health subjects like substance abuse prevention and HIV education. The bill directly affects all K-12 pupils in New Hampshire public schools by adding this specific content to required classroom instruction. This policy change focuses on integrating prevention education into standard health curricula without altering other existing requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates inclusion of domestic violence prevention in required health curriculum, expanding mandated educational content for K-12 students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates domestic violence prevention in health curriculum, advancing public health education as part of healthcare policy90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety Substance Abuse

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passed both · New Hampshire · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 751: establishing a committee to study licensure of outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities, authorizing parents to enroll their children in any public school in the state, and creating a limited exemption from parental consent required for certain recordings under the parental bill of rights.

This bill requires outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities in New Hampshire to obtain certification from the Department of Health and Human Services. It establishes a certification process for facilities providing outpatient services like intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and medically managed outpatient treatment, while exempting nonclinical recovery support services and certain other providers. Facilities will pay certification fees to a new "substance use treatment certification fund" that will cover the costs of the certification program. The bill also requires the Department to maintain a public online list of certified facilities and to create a dedicated behavioral health specialist position within the Ombudsman's office to investigate complaints about treatment facilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes parents to enroll children in any public school, expanding educational access per topic definition.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates certification for outpatient substance use disorder facilities, establishes DHHS oversight, and appropriates funds, strengthening mental health service standards and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Substance Abuse

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died · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 651: relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.

SB 651 would legalize cannabis use for adults 21 and older in New Hampshire, requiring businesses to obtain licenses and follow regulations similar to alcohol, including age verification for purchases, product testing, and labeling. It establishes a new cannabis tax fund, with revenue from sales allocated to support substance abuse prevention, treatment, and education programs through a dedicated fund managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. These programs would cover evidence-based initiatives, mental health services for dual-diagnosis cases, and public education campaigns about cannabis risks for both youth and adults. The bill mandates annual reporting on fund usage and ensures tax revenue directly supports state efforts to address substance misuse.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new cannabis tax fund with revenue allocated to fund substance abuse prevention, treatment, and education programs, directly advancing public spending on essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates cannabis tax revenue to substance abuse prevention, treatment, and education programs managed by DHHS, directly funding public health initiatives related to healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 123: requiring coverage of ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse under the state Medicaid plan.

SB 123 requires New Hampshire's Medicaid program to cover ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse, including during detox and for opioid addiction or other substance use disorders. This policy change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with substance use disorders who choose this treatment option. The bill mandates adding ear acupuncture to the list of covered services under the state Medicaid plan, with implementation required by January 1, 2026. The state will cover the cost through existing Medicaid funding streams, with federal funds covering most expenses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage expansion for ear acupuncture treatment, increasing access to substance misuse care under public health program95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Substance Abuse

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 241: relative to health insurance coverage of pain management services for the management of chronic pain.

This bill requires New Hampshire health insurance companies to cover specific non-opioid pain management services as alternatives to opioids, including behavioral therapies (like CBT and mindfulness), manual treatments (chiropractic and massage), movement therapies (yoga and tai chi), and acupuncture. It mandates at least 12 visits per service category, prohibits more restrictive utilization controls for non-opioid therapies than opioids, and requires insurers to create and post detailed pain management plans. The bill applies to both individual and group health insurance policies, aiming to increase access to evidence-based non-opioid pain management options. It takes effect July 1, 2025, though it does not provide funding for these new requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage of non-opioid pain management services, expanding patient access to alternatives to opioids while prohibiting restrictive controls for these therapies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

failed · New Hampshire · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 640: relative to the use of artificial intelligence to provide services requiring a professional license.

SB 640 prohibits using artificial intelligence to provide services requiring a professional license (such as psychology, mental health, or substance abuse counseling) unless those services are delivered by a licensed professional. The bill specifically bans AI from replacing human professionals in direct client interactions, though it allows AI for administrative tasks like scheduling or billing. It also authorizes the Office of Professional Licensure to collect fees to cover enforcement costs for violations. This applies to all licensed professions in New Hampshire, with additional specific rules for psychologists and mental health practitioners.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from replacing licensed professionals in direct mental health counseling, protecting patient care quality and safety in mental health services.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits AI from replacing human professionals in direct client interactions for licensed services, restricting AI's application in a specific technology context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Substance Abuse Artificial Intelligence

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passed · New Hampshire · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 441: relative to the financial responsibility for local assistance and enabling municipalities to request a hearing regarding the residency of an assisted person.

SB 441 requires any New Hampshire municipality planning to transport homeless individuals or those needing substance use disorder treatment to another municipality to first establish a written agreement (Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU) with the receiving municipality. The MOU must detail services provided, financial responsibilities (including potential payments for treatment), transfer limits, and reporting requirements. This applies to non-emergency transports for housing, shelter, or treatment, but excludes emergency medical transfers, court-ordered moves, or voluntary relocations. Violations carry a $5,000 fine payable to the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill aims to ensure coordinated care and financial clarity between municipalities handling vulnerable residents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires MOUs detailing treatment services/finances for substance use disorder transport, ensuring coordinated care continuity and access to healthcare services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1790: relative to involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder.

HB 1790 expands the definition of "mental illness" under New Hampshire law to include impairment primarily caused by substance use disorder (SUD) for involuntary admission purposes. This means individuals with SUD who meet specific danger criteria (such as extreme abnormal behavior or faulty perceptions) could now be subject to involuntary emergency or non-emergency admissions, similar to those with other mental health conditions. The bill explicitly excludes impairment from alcohol dependence, intoxication, epilepsy, or intellectual disability from this expanded definition. It directly affects people with SUD who pose a danger to themselves or others, requiring clinical evaluations and court processes under revised standards. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with potential impacts on healthcare resources and admission systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands involuntary admission criteria for SUD under mental health services, aligning with mental health protections and improving access to crisis care for substance use disorders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1772: relative to prescribing ibogaine for investigational use only and adopting the physician associate licensure compact.

HB 1772 creates a New Hampshire grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to fund state participation in a multistate clinical trial consortium studying ibogaine as a potential treatment for substance use disorder and other neurological or mental health conditions. The bill appropriates $1 (likely a typo for $1 million) to support this effort, requiring grant recipients to be New Hampshire-based entities with proven expertise in neurological/mental health research, matching funds from non-state sources, and FDA-approved trial protocols (including an IND application and breakthrough therapy designation request). Entities must submit quarterly progress and financial reports, and the state must verify matching funds before disbursing grant money. This bill directly affects eligible research institutions participating in the consortium, not the general public.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1 million (likely typo) for a state grant program under HHS, directly funding a new health research initiative through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds clinical trials for ibogaine treatment of substance use disorder and mental health conditions via state grant program, advancing mental health research and treatment options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Substance Abuse

failed · New Hampshire · House Aug 5, 2026

HB 1656: relative to insurance coverage for pelvic health therapy.

HB 1656 requires all health insurance plans in New Hampshire to cover pelvic-floor physical therapy (PFPT) as a standard benefit for specific conditions, including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, postpartum recovery, and pelvic pain. It mandates coverage for up to 12 weeks of supervised therapy, pre-surgery preparation (prehab), and post-surgery rehabilitation without prior authorization for initial evaluations. Insurers must report on this coverage data annually, and the insurance department will publish an annual report on insurer compliance. This directly affects residents with pelvic floor dysfunction, ensuring access to evidence-based treatments currently often excluded from coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for pelvic-floor therapy, expanding access to essential health services without prior authorization for specific conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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