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The weekly Legislative Brief provides information on upcoming committee hearings, the type of action needed, legislative bill summary, and more. |
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Last Week Summary |
Bill Overview | SB 35 (Sen. Rosenwald) – The bill is relative to RSV vaccine administration. Bill authorizes pharmacists, technicians, and interns to administer the RSV vaccine to adults. This bipartisan bill amends RSA 318:16-b, which currently authorizes pharmacists, technicians, and interns to administer an array of vaccines. If passed, this would increase statewide capacity to administer this specific vaccine. | NHPHA Position - Support |
| Hearing Update | Very favorable testimony in support of the bill. No one signed in or testified in opposition. The only issues were the effective date if signed into law and whether language should allow all FDA/CDC-approved vaccines to be administered to adults. | Committee Hearing Outcome: Ought to Pass (OTP); Vote 5-0; 01/26/2023
Status: Passed Senate on Voice Vote – Moves to House |
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Bill Overview | SB 34 (Sen. Gray) – The bill is relative to the controlled drug prescription health and safety program. | NHPHA Position - Monitor |
| Hearing Update | | Committee Hearing Outcome: OTP; Vote 5-0
Status: Passed Senate on Voice Vote – Moves to House |
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Bill Overview | SB 117 (Sen. Fenton) – The bill is relative to the definition of a "child" for the purpose of negligent storage of firearms. The bill clarifies that “child” means anyone under 18 years of age. The bill seeks to define that if an adult does not properly secure a firearm and a person under 18 years of age accesses the weapon, it will be considered negligent storage. This bill aligns with the NH definition of a child with RSA 650. | NHPHA Position - Monitor |
| Hearing Update | The bill received vigorous pushback from Gun Rights groups. There was a line of questioning from republican members as to isolating NH data of 16 years old accessing loaded guns. Supporters were unable to provide data. Opponents stated that 16 years old driving cars and obtaining a hunting license were evidence of not needing this bill. The bill looks to move forward along party lines, i.e., republicans will oppose, and democrats will support. |
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Bill Overview | SB 50 (Sen. Lang) – The bill is relative to pharmaceutical drug take-back programs. The bill allows take-back programs to operate in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. | NHPHA Position - Monitor |
| Hearing Update | The bill received a favorable reception from the committee. It looks to move on to the floor with a favorable recommendation. |
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Bill Overview | HB 34 (Rep. Levesque) – The bill is relative to raising the age of marriage from 16 to 18 years old.
Child marriage is currently legal in 43 states, including New Hampshire. Only seven states recognize that 16 years old girls are at risk of increased domestic violence, forced pregnancy, and adverse health consequences. Also, they are likely to be deprived of education and economic opportunity. This includes Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Child marriage is a public health concern in the US. According to Unchained At Last, approximately 300,000 children (mainly girls wed to adult men) were married in the US between 2000 and 2018. | NHPHA Position - Support |
| Hearing Update | The committee recommended to Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), 8-7 party line vote. The bill moves to House Floor for a vote. The session is yet to be scheduled. This bill will draw attention as it did in years past. Depending on attendance, the ITL could be flipped. Antiquated RSA was amended in 2019, moving the age of marriage to 16. Action: Active participation on session day.
Contact NHPHA at advocacy@nhpha.org if you are interested in taking action against this bill. Include the subject line “HB34”. |
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Bill Overview | HB 353 (Rep. Schmidt) – This bill is relative to establishing an interstate compact for universal healthcare. | NHPHA Position - Support |
| Hearing Update | This is an annual submission from Rep. Peter Schmidt (D). The Committee Chair, John Hunt, doesn’t support universal healthcare. The bill was sent to a subcommittee where its prospects of passage will not improve. |
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Bill Overview | HB 396 (Rep. Kofalt) – This bill is relative to state recognition of biological sex. Commonly referred to as the "bathroom bill". | NHPHA Position - Oppose |
| Hearing Update | The bill is supported by Cornerstone Action and opposed by NHPHA, NAMI, Women's Foundation, 603 Equality, and NH Attorney General's Office. It is rare for the AG to testify for or against a bill. NHPHA is still determining if there are enough votes in the House to get an Ought to Pass (OTP). Public pushback was strong and may be decisive in its future. |
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Bill Overview | HB 615 (Rep. Edwards) – This bill requires independent audits of reproductive health care facilities. | NHPHA Position - Monitor |
| Hearing Update | Sponsors are anti-choice, and this bill is an oblique attack on providers. It is opposed by providers who, as 501(c)(3), are subject to audits and the federal Hyde Amendment. Proponents are concerned about co-mingling public funding and subsidizing abortion care. NHPHA anticipate votes aligning according to choice v. anti-choice. |
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Bill Overview | HB 614 (Rep. Murphy) – The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) to develop a health outcomes repository related to per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. | NHPHA Position - Monitor |
| Hearing Update | The bill was amended and received a favorable hearing with the support of DHHS. The bill will create a central repository of PFAS data and health impacts. NHPHA anticipates an Ought to Pass (OTP) vote. |
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Upcoming Committee Hearings | SB 181 (Sen. Perkins Kwoka) – The bill is relative to access to abortion care. | |
| Details | Date: Tuesday, January 31 Time: 2:00 PM Committee: NH Senate Judiciary Location: NH State House, Room 100 |
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HB 598-FN (Rep. Edwards) – Th bill is relative to funding maternal mortality reviews. It establishes a dedicated fund for maternal mortality reviews. This bill redirects a portion of marriage license and marriage officiate fees to fund maternal mortality reviews. It increases the fines from $50 to $250 for domestic violence to raise domestic violence funding. | |
| Date: Wednesday, February 1 Time: 9:00 AM Committee: House Health and Human Services Location: NH Legislative Office Building, Room 210-211 |
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HB 574-FN-A (Rep. Wolf) – This bill is relative to re-establishing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program. | |
| Date: Wednesday, February 1 Time: 11:15 AM Committee: House Health and Human Services Location: NH Legislative Office Building, Room 210-211 |
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HB 565-FN-A (Rep. Murray) – The bill is relative to expanding Medicaid to include certain postpartum health care services. | |
| Date: Wednesday, February 1 Time: 1:00 PM Committee: House Health and Human Services Location: NH Legislative Office Building, Room 210-211 |
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HB 580-FN (Rep. Hakken-Phillips) – This bill is relative to establishing a children's vision screening initiative within the state Medicaid program. | |
| Date: Wednesday, February 1 Time: 1:30 PM Committee: House Health and Human Services Location: NH Legislative Office Building, Room 210-211 |
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HB 282 (Rep. Shapiro) – This bill is relative to including certain children and pregnant women in Medicaid and the children's health insurance program. | |
| Date: Wednesday, February 1 Time: 2:00 PM Committee: House Health and Human Services Location: NH Legislative Office Building, Room 210-211 |
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Members Monthly Policy Update Meeting |
The New Hampshire Public Health Association invites you, our members, to monthly policy update virtual meetings scheduled on the second Thursday of the month from 12:30 - 1:30 PM, starting February 9, 2023. At the monthly meetings, the NHPHA will share legislative updates, committee hearings updates, and areas where we need your support.
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2023 Time: 12:30 - 1:30 PM Location: Zoom Registration: FREE - NHPHA Members Only - Registration Required
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