SB 423 reestablishes a commission to study post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in first responders and whether PTSD should be covered under workers' compensation. The bill adds a New Hampshire comfort dog community representative to the commission and specifies its 17-member composition, including officials from labor, safety, and insurance departments, plus representatives from fire, police, medical, and mental health organizations. The commission must study succession planning, standardized peer support programs, and other relevant matters, with an interim report due by November 1, 2026, and a final report by November 1, 2027. This bill directly affects first responders by initiating a formal study of PTSD incidence and potential policy changes, without altering current workers' compensation rules.
This bill harmonizes New Hampshire's criminal code and the Fetal Life Protection Act by setting the gestational age limit for abortion restrictions at 20 weeks instead of 24 weeks. It amends the homicide statute to exempt pregnancy terminations performed before 20 weeks and updates the Fetal Life Protection Act to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks (except in medical emergencies or for fatal fetal abnormalities). Health care providers performing abortions after 20 weeks without meeting these conditions would face class B felony charges. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, correcting an inconsistency between existing statutes.
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.
HB 1544 prohibits the use of scented products in public areas of state buildings across New Hampshire. It requires state agencies to use only fragrance-free cleaning products, provide fragrance-free items in restrooms and hygiene areas, and ban fragrance dispensing devices (like air fresheners) in all state buildings open to the public. The bill directly affects state employees, building maintenance staff, and visitors with sensitivities to scents, such as those with asthma or allergies. It cites medical evidence supporting this change, aligning with the American Medical Association’s recommendations. The law takes effect 60 days after passage, with full compliance required within one year.
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 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.
SB 612 modifies eligibility rules for nursing facility and home and community-based care under New Hampshire Medicaid by adding "mobility" to the list of activities of daily living (ADLs) considered for qualification. This means applicants must now demonstrate a need for assistance with mobility (such as walking or using a wheelchair) to meet clinical eligibility requirements. The bill also requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to obtain a medical determination of long-term care needs from the applicant’s primary care provider, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse, and to consider input from other health providers like physical therapists. These changes directly affect Medicaid applicants seeking nursing facility or home-based care services in New Hampshire.
HB 1317 strengthens patient privacy protections in New Hampshire by prohibiting state agencies, contractors, vendors, and grant recipients from sharing personally identifiable medical, disability, or mental health data with the federal government or third parties - unless specific conditions apply. These exceptions include obtaining an individual’s written consent, complying with existing law or court orders, or disclosing data to provide necessary health care services. The bill also requires that any permitted disclosure share only the minimum necessary data and prioritize de-identified information when possible. It explicitly affirms that these state rules do not override federal privacy laws like HIPAA or the ADA, and violations could result in civil penalties enforced by the attorney general.
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.
HB 1653 requires freestanding hospital emergency facilities (FHEFs) to allow patients receiving emergency care to choose their transfer destination hospital, rather than being limited to the parent hospital that owns or operates the FHEF. The bill mandates that FHEFs provide this choice when a transfer is medically necessary and the selected hospital can treat the patient's condition, while prohibiting practices like conditioning treatment on transfers to affiliated hospitals or steering patients toward the parent facility. It also requires FHEFs to document the patient's transfer preference and forbids exclusive contracts with emergency medical services that restrict transfer options. These provisions aim to protect patient autonomy, prevent anti-competitive behavior, and ensure continuity of care during emergency transfers.
