Healthcare (Mental Health)

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1323: relative to parental alienation, limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services, relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.

HB 1323 defines "parental alienation" as a pattern of behavior damaging a child's relationship with a parent - such as disparaging remarks, manipulation, or unjustified interference with parenting time - while excluding protective actions taken in good faith for safety concerns. The bill requires New Hampshire courts to consider parental alienation as a factor in custody, visitation, and parental rights decisions, including joint decision-making and modifications to parenting plans. It establishes a "family access motion" for parents to seek enforcement of parenting plans when alienation occurs and allows courts to order remedies like adjusted schedules. The law also mandates courts to evaluate parental alienation in grandparent visitation cases and requires attorney fee awards in contempt cases involving failure to comply with court orders related to parental alienation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens children's mental health services by requiring courts to consider parental alienation in custody decisions, protecting access to care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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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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 Feb 5, 2026

HB 1747: relative to treatment of perinatal mental health conditions.

This bill requires New Hampshire's Insurance Department to reimburse pregnant Medicaid recipients for mental health screenings each trimester and to pay healthcare providers for advising patients about perinatal mental health resources. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create outreach programs for providers and incentive programs for certified perinatal mental health therapists, requiring two years of employment for reimbursement eligibility. The bill mandates higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for certified providers but does not allocate new state funding for implementation. It directly affects pregnant Medicaid patients and healthcare providers specializing in perinatal mental health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid reimbursement for perinatal mental health screenings, funds outreach programs, and creates therapist incentives - expands access to critical care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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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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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jul 9, 2026

SB 423: reestablishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill studies expanding PTSD coverage for first responders under workers' comp, directly advancing mental health coverage through insurance policy reform.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill studies PTSD coverage under workers' comp for first responders, directly advancing workplace safety and benefits protection for workers' mental health.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1317: relative to patient privacy protections.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens patient privacy protections for medical, disability, and mental health data, directly advancing healthcare rights and confidentiality standards.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits sharing health data with federal government, limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement, supporting immigrant privacy and safety.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens health data privacy by prohibiting unauthorized sharing, directly aligning with tech policy focus on data privacy protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics 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

in committee · New Hampshire · House Aug 21, 2026

HB 1638: creating a bypass mechanism for health insurer step therapy protocols when medically necessary.

HB 1638 creates a process for healthcare providers to bypass step therapy protocols when a patient's condition requires it, directly affecting patients and providers in insurance plans that use step therapy. Step therapy typically forces patients to try less expensive medications first before coverage is provided for more expensive alternatives. The bill requires step therapy protocols to be based on updated clinical guidelines developed by expert panels and mandates that insurers must grant an override request when providers demonstrate medical necessity, including conditions like advanced cancer or serious mental illness. This establishes a clear, evidence-based pathway to avoid unnecessary treatment delays without altering existing insurance coverage rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers to bypass step therapy protocols when medically necessary, improving patient access to required treatments and directly addressing a barrier in healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Prescription Drugs

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