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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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

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health

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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

Sub-Topics Children's 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 · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1596: relative to the collection of certain health care program premiums; funding for the university system of New Hampshire; and raising the tobacco tax.

HB 1596 raises New Hampshire's cigarette and little cigar tax from $1.78 to $2.80 per pack of 20, increasing revenue for state funds. It appropriates $18 million annually to New Hampshire's university system to restore higher education funding to 2024 levels. The bill also stops collecting premiums for two health programs: the Children's Health Insurance Program and the NH Granite Advantage health care program. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, with tobacco tax revenue funding the university appropriation and education trust fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises tobacco tax to fund university system ($18M/year), increasing state revenue while restoring education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $18M annually to restore university system funding, directly advancing higher education support per bill summary.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDefunds two health programs (CHIP and Granite Advantage) while redirecting tobacco tax revenue to universities, directly reducing healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Higher Education Children's Health Insurance

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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 Feb 5, 2026

HB 1250: relative to notice, documentation, and job reinstatement requirements under leave of absence for childbirth, postpartum, and pediatric medical appointments.

HB 1250 requires employees in New Hampshire to give employers at least 15 days' notice before taking unpaid leave for childbirth, postpartum care, or pediatric medical appointments for their child. It limits this leave to 25 hours total within the first year of the child’s birth or adoption and allows employers to deny job reinstatement if returning would cause major operational disruption. The bill applies to employers with 20 or more employees and permits employees to substitute accrued paid leave for the unpaid time. Employers may request documentation to verify the leave’s purpose. This changes existing rules by clarifying notice requirements and reinstatement conditions.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts leave time for pediatric medical appointments, limiting access to healthcare services for children.80% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentLimits leave to 25 hours, requires 15-day notice, and allows denial of reinstatement - restricting employee leave rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Paid Leave

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