Healthcare (Children's Health)

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 182: relative to the maternal mortality review panel.

SB 182 renames the "maternal mortality review panel" to "maternal mortality review committee" and revises its membership to include specific health professionals like obstetricians, pediatric specialists, and community health representatives. It updates the definition of "pregnancy-related death" to include deaths from accidental or incidental causes, removing a prior exclusion. The committee will be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services and facilitated by the New Hampshire Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NHPQC) affiliated with Dartmouth Health. This bill aims to improve the review process for maternal deaths to identify systemic factors and recommend healthcare system changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates maternal mortality committee structure and definition to include accidental causes, enhancing public health review of pregnancy-related deaths under healthcare oversight.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Women's Health

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 208: relative to certification requirements for school nurses.

HB 208 updates certification rules for school nurses in New Hampshire by requiring 3 years of current experience in acute/chronic pediatric care (replacing broader "related nursing areas" language) and adding leadership skills in professional nursing practice as a competency requirement. It directly affects school nurses seeking or renewing certification in the state. The bill amends RSA 200:29 to tighten clinical experience standards and emphasizes pediatric-focused skills. The Legislative Budget Assistant estimates minimal fiscal impact ($10,000 or less annually through 2028). The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationTightens certification standards for school nurses, requiring pediatric expertise and leadership skills to strengthen student health services in K-12 schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTightens certification standards for school nurses, requiring pediatric experience and leadership skills, strengthening healthcare workforce qualifications in school settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Children's Health

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passed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 470: relative to the use of general anesthesia, deep sedation, and moderate sedation in dental treatment.

HB 470 allows dentists to administer moderate sedation to patients under 13 without requiring a second anesthesia provider, provided they meet specific training and safety standards. Key provisions include requiring dentists to complete Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training, obtaining informed consent that notes potential hospital alternatives, and conducting a pre-procedure medical evaluation. The bill updates the Dental Board’s rulemaking authority to align with national standards from groups like the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This directly affects dentists performing sedation on pediatric patients under 13 and ensures safety while expanding access to dental care in non-hospital settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables dentists to provide sedation for pediatric patients under safety standards, improving access to dental care while mandating PALS training and safety protocols.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals

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failed · New Hampshire · House May 8, 2026

HB 1378: relative to parental access to a minor child's electronic medical records.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates parental access to minors' medical records (with limited exceptions), improving family involvement in healthcare decisions and aligning with patient access protections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 456: establishing the commission for children's futures.

SB 456 establishes a commission to study children's health and safety issues in New Hampshire, including mental health services, school safety, and childhood diagnoses. The commission, composed of legislative members and 17 appointed experts (such as healthcare professionals, teachers, and parents), will examine specific topics like school mental health programs, youth homelessness, and exposure to harmful content. It must submit annual reports by November 1 to state leaders, including the governor and legislative leaders, with findings and recommendations. This bill creates a study body but does not enact new laws or allocate funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study children's mental health services and school programs, directly advancing healthcare initiatives per topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 484: prohibiting Medicaid premiums and limiting Medicaid expansion cost sharing.

This bill eliminates existing premiums for New Hampshire's Medicaid programs (Granite Advantage for adults and CHIP for children) and limits any cost-sharing fees under expanded Medicaid to $5 per service. It repeals current premium requirements that generated approximately $16 million annually in state revenue, requiring a $16 million appropriation in FY2027 to offset this loss. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with the $5 cost-sharing cap applying starting October 1, 2028. The bill directly affects current Medicaid recipients by removing premium payments and modifies state budgeting for the Medicaid program.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEliminates $16M annual Medicaid premium revenue and mandates $16M FY2027 appropriation, directly reducing state revenue and increasing budget expenditure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates Medicaid premiums and caps cost-sharing at $5/service, reducing financial barriers to healthcare access under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Children's Health Insurance Medicaid

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 1760: repealing the directive that the department of health and human services seek a waiver to establish pharmacy copayment and premium requirements under the state Medicaid plan and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 1760 repeals a requirement that the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services seek a waiver to impose pharmacy copayments and premiums on Medicaid beneficiaries, including those in the New Hampshire Advantage Health Care Program and the Children's Health Insurance Program. It removes specific law sections (2025, 141:65; RSA 126-AA:2-a; and RSA 126-A:3, IX) that would have mandated these cost-sharing measures. The bill appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to cover the resulting revenue shortfall for the 2026-2027 biennium. This change directly eliminates new costs for Medicaid participants while maintaining program funding stability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals Medicaid copayment requirement and appropriates state funds to cover costs, directly funding Medicaid without beneficiary cost-sharing.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals Medicaid copayment/premium mandates, eliminating cost barriers for beneficiaries and improving access to care under state Medicaid programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Children's Health Insurance Medicaid

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