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).
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.
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.
HB 1469 requires massage therapy businesses employing more than one therapist to obtain a state license and undergo regular inspections by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). The bill establishes new health and safety standards for these businesses, including requirements for direct supervision by licensed therapists and procedures for license renewal and disciplinary actions. It also adds compensation for members of the massage therapists' advisory board and creates a new investigative paralegal position within the OPLC, with funding provided for this role. This legislation directly affects massage therapy businesses, the OPLC, and the advisory board by expanding regulatory oversight and operational requirements.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.