February Legislative Update on New Futures 2025 Policy and Budget Priorities
It’s the end of February, and the New Hampshire Legislature is two months into its 2025 session. Each year, New Futures works diligently to solve problems through policy change. So far, we have informed advocates about more than 20 priority bills, and our policy team is tracking and informing on nearly 200 additional pieces of legislation.
Read through for updates on our priority bills and their current status, including next steps and how you can take action, or jump to an issue you care most about:
Children & Families | Healthy Aging | Public Health and Access to Health Care | Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment and Recovery | State Budget Priorities
Improving Access to Child Care
In New Hampshire, child care for a family with two children under five costs more than $32,000 per year. Child care scholarships provide critical support for working families, but complex paperwork requirements, upfront payment demands, and burdensome data tracking for providers create significant burdens.SB 243 streamlines the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship program for parents and providers and will help more families access affordable child care in New Hampshire.
Status: In Committee
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing on SB 243 last week but has not yet voted on a recommendation.
Take Action: Email the Committee to urge them to support the bill.
Senate Bill 255 is a fiscally responsible, commonsense plan to permanently fund the New Hampshire Rapid Response Access Point (part of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network) using the same proven model that has worked for our 911 system for decades.
Status: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing for this bill on February 6. Several dedicated New Futures advocates shared their powerful personal stories, and 295 people signed in to support the bill, with only two opposed! On February 19, the Senate HHS Committee recommended the bill as “ought to pass” 5-0. The bill will next head to the Senate floor, where it will be considered as part of the consent calendar.
Take Action: Thank members of the Senate HHS Committee for their support!
Coverage for Children's Behavioral Health Care Coordination
Senate Bill 128 would require private insurance companies to help pay for enhanced care coordination mental health services for youth, creating a partnership between public and private insurers. This would help all New Hampshire children get the care they need, no matter what type of insurance they have.
Status: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing on SB 128 on February 10. Advocates told their moving personal experiences, and 179 people registered their support compared to just six opponents. The Senate HHS Committee voted unanimously (5-0) in favor of recommending the bill on February 19. The next step is for the full Senate to consider the bill, where it will be on the consent calendar.
Take Action: Send a message of gratitude to Senate HHS Committee members for their support!
New Hampshire moms continue to face large gaps in maternal health and wellness. Our state has one of the highest rates of depression and anxiety for new moms in the country, and behavioral health, including substance overdoses, is the leading cause of maternal mortality in New Hampshire. In the past two decades, 11 maternity departments in the state have closed, and Granite Staters continue to face threats to our already fragile maternal health ecosystem.
SB 246, also known as New Hampshire Momnibus 2.0, will improve maternal mental health, strengthen workforce protections, expand family supports, and support moms across New Hampshire.
Status: Senate Committee Recommendation of Ought to Pass, Headed to Senate Floor
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously on an Ought to Pass Recommendation for SB 246. It will go to the Senate floor for a vote in early March.
Take Action: Share your maternal mental health experiences to help lawmakers understand the critical need.
Protecting Teen Voices and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
The YRBS is a completely anonymous, optional survey that allows teens to privately share their experiences so parents, schools, and communities can prevent unsafe and unhealthy behaviors. Originally, House Bill 446 would have required schools to share YRBS questions with families via email.
Status: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 446 on January 22. Afterward, an amendment (42h) was floated. The amendment would reverse the current opt-out policy, requiring families to opt-in, significantly reducing participation and making it impossible to learn how to keep Granite State youth safe and healthy. Committee members are currently considering the bill and amendment.
Take Action: Use our easy action form to ask committee members to reject the amendment.
Removing Anti-Discrimination Protections: Senate Bill 38, Senate Bill 268, and House Bill 148 would make life harder and less safe for transgender Granite Staters. They would roll back bipartisan discrimination protections in restrooms and locker rooms at places we all need access to, like hospitals, workplaces, libraries, restaurants, stores, and more.
Status: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing for Senate Bill 38 and Senate Bill 268 on February 13th. Committee members are currently considering the bill.
The House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing for House Bill 148 on February 19th. There is an executive session for Monday, March 3 at 11:00am. This means committee members may discuss the bill and will likely vote on a recommendation to the full Senate at that time.
Take Action: Contact committee members and ask them to oppose these bills.
Mandatory Outing in Schools: Senate Bill 96 would require teachers to "out" students to their parents when requested. This would discourage young people from finding support that is critical to their well-being.
Status: SB 96 has a public hearing before the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, March 4 at 9:00 AM in Room 101 of the Legislative Office Building.
Take Action: Sign in virtually to the hearing to show your opposition to the bill by midnight on March 4.
Ban on Medically Necessary Care: Transgender teens, like all teens, have the best chance to thrive when they are supported and can get the doctor-prescribed medical care they need. House Bill 377 and House Bill 712 would prevent Granite State youth from receiving evidence-based, medically necessary care that research shows can benefit the mental health and well-being of transgender youth.
Status: HB 377 and HB 712 both have public hearings before the House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee on Monday, March 3 in Rooms 306-308 of the LOB. HB 377's hearing will be at 9:30 AM and HB 712's will be at 1:00 PM.
Take Action: Sign in virtually to the hearing to show your opposition to the bill by midnight on March 3 and let us know if you're interested in attending the hearings.
Expanding Eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs
New Hampshire’s Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) pay for uncovered Medicare costs, but far too many low-income older adults still don’t qualify for assistance. Senate Bill 122 would expand eligibility for MSPs to ensure that more older adults have access to affordable health care. By increasing the income limit and removing the resource limit, SB 122 will improve health outcomes, reduce financial burdens, and strengthen the health of New Hampshire communities.
Status: Senate Committee Recommendation of Ought to Pass, Headed to Senate Floor
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously on a recommendation to pass SB 122. Next, the Senate will vote on the bill.
Take Action: Email your Senator to urge them to vote to pass the bill.
Caregiver Respite and Senior Volunteer Programs
House Bill 704 would strengthen New Hampshire communities by investing in caregiver respite and senior volunteer programs. Caregiver respite services provide family caregivers with needed breaks, preventing burnout so they can continue to provide quality care for their loved ones. Senior volunteer programs address community needs, providing services like companionship and transportation to older adults and mentorship to kids, benefiting both the people served and the volunteers.These existing, high-impact programs create a more supportive and resilient Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) system and benefit everyone in New Hampshire.
Status: House Committee Recommendation of Ought to Pass, Headed to House Floor
Following a public hearing with input from family caregivers and senior volunteers, the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee voted on a recommendation to pass HB 704. Next, the House of Representatives will vote on the bill.
Take Action: Email your Representative(s) to urge them to vote in support of this legislation.
Housing Security for Older Adults
House Bill 60 threatens to remove tenant protections by allowing landlords to evict tenants without cause when their lease ends. No-cause evictions could exacerbate the ongoing homelessness crisis and negatively impact the health of Granite State children and adults.
Status: Passed the House of Representatives, Headed to the Senate
The House of Representatives passed HB 60 in a 217-139 vote, advancing it to the Senate. Next, it will be assigned to a Senate committee and have a public hearing.
Take Action: Email or call your Senator to urge them to oppose this harmful bill.
Protect Access to Immunizations
HB 524 would end our state's current system for providing access to vaccines for children. Currently, insurance companies pay money into a central fund (run by the NH Vaccine Association) which helps purchase vaccines for all children in the state. If this bill passes, doctors' offices would face the huge expense of managing their own inventory. After a vaccine is administered, the provider would bill insurance companies, and many families would likely be required to pay for all or some of the vaccine, depending on co-insurance and co-pays.
Status: House Committee Recommendation of Ought to Pass, Headed to House Floor
Despite over 3,000 people opposing this bill, the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs voted 10-8 on a recommendation of Ought to Pass. This bill will go to the House floor on March 6.
Take Action: Email your Representative(s) to urge them to vote NO on this harmful legislation.
Protect Medicaid Expansion for All
The Granite Advantage Health Care Program, more commonly known as Medicaid Expansion, is a unique New Hampshire solution that ensures all Granite Staters have access to health insurance. Senate Bill 134 would create unnecessary barriers to health insurance by adding burdensome work requirements to Medicaid Expansion, putting thousands of low-income Granite Staters at risk of losing their health insurance.
Status: Senate Committee Recommends Ought to Pass, Headed to Senate Floor
Unfortunately, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted on a recommendation to pass the bill. Next, the bill will go to the Senate floor for a Senate vote.
Take Action: Email your Senator to urge them to oppose work requirements for Medicaid Expansion.
Growing the Health Care Workforce
New Futures has worked with the New Hampshire Health Care Workforce Coalition since 2018 to address systemic health care workforce shortages that limit access to care for New Hampshire patients. This year, we’re working to advance Senate Bill 244, which would invest in important programs and initiatives that attract, train, and retain health care workers within our state. Some of the initiatives include the creation of a public-private Health Care Workforce Recruitment and Retention Hub, pipeline investments in the New Hampshire Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), and Medicaid reimbursement rate increases for all health care providers.
Status: In Committee
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing on SB 244 in the beginning of February and is still considering the bill. Next, the committee will hold an executive session to vote on a recommendation for the bill.
Take Action: Email committee members to urge them to invest in NH’s health care workforce.
Defending the Prescription Drug Affordability Board
Health care affordability is a top priority for Granite Staters, and the rising costs of prescription medications are threatening the health and financial well-being of individuals, older adults, and families. In a recent survey, one in four Granite Staters reported that they've rationed or skipped medications due to cost.
An amendment to House Bill 570 would eliminate New Hampshire’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), our state’s only independent, nonpartisan entity dedicated to addressing the high costs of prescription medications. Dismantling the PDAB would be a devastating step backward for our state, undermining our strongest effort to address rising prescription prices and placing life-saving medications further out of reach for Granite Staters who need them.
Status: House Committee Adopts Amendment and Recommends Ought to Pass, Headed to House Floor
The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee adopted an amendment to HB 570 that would eliminate the PDAB without offering any alternative solutions. The committee then voted on a recommendation to pass the bill as amended. Next, the House of Representatives will vote on the amended bill.
Take Action: Email your Representative(s) to urge them to oppose the amendment to the bill and keep the PDAB in place.
If New Hampshire moves in the direction of legalizing recreational cannabis through a commercial model, it is imperative to get the policy right from the start. HB 186 would legalize cannabis for purchase and adult use in New Hampshire. The bill meets many of New Futures' Principles for Responsible Cannabis Commercialization but falls short in promoting social justice initiatives. It also does not go far enough to limit the potency of products.
The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee held a public hearing on HB 186 in January and is expected to vote on a recommendation for the bill on March 5.
Strengthening NH’s Substance Use Treatment System
Although New Hampshire’s substance use treatment system has made significant strides over the past decade, there's more we can do to ensure that patients receive the treatment and services they need. HB 751 would improve our substance use treatment system by strengthening patient protections and ensuring high quality services across the state.
Status: House Committee Recommends Ought to Pass, Headed to House Floor
The House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee voted on a recommendation to pass the bill in a 12-6 vote. Next, the House of Representatives will vote on the bill.
Take Action: Email your Representative(s) to urge them to vote in support of this important bill.
Supporting the Development of Recovery Housing
In New Hampshire, access to housing remains one of the greatest obstacles for people facing substance misuse. Although recent years have shown an increase in certified recovery homes across the state, there are still not nearly enough available beds to meet the needs of our communities. House Bill 432 would support the development of recovery housing in our state by helping cities and towns develop recovery housing resources.
Status: In Committee
Dozens of individuals, including many who have lived in recovery homes themselves, testified in person at the bill’s House public hearing to share their positive experiences in recovery homes. The House Municipal and County Government Committee is holding work sessions to review the bill more thoroughly. After that, the committee will hold an executive session to vote on a recommendation for the bill.
Take Action: Email committee members to urge them to support the development of recovery housing in NH.
Legalizing Drug Checking Equipment
Under current law, with the exceptions of fentanyl and xylazine test strips, possession with intent to distribute lifesaving drug-checking equipment is an unclassified misdemeanor and punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,000. HB 226 would legalize the use and distribution of all test equipment in New Hampshire.
Status: In Committee
The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on HB 226 in late January and is expected to vote on a recommendation for the bill in early March.
Take Action: Email the Committee to urge them to legalize drug-checking equipment.
Opposing Mandatory Minimum Sentencing
Two Senate Bills, SB 14 and SB 15, propose mandatory minimum sentencing for some drug-related offenses. SB 14 would require a minimum sentence of 3.5 to 7 years for some fentanyl-related offenses, and SB 15, as amended in the Senate, would require a minimum sentence of 10 years for the distribution of fentanyl that results in death. Mandatory minimum sentences remove individuals from their communities, restrict access to needed treatment, and weaken our state's efforts to overcome the ongoing addiction crisis.
Status: Passed the Senate, Headed to the Senate Finance Committee
Both bills passed the Senate in early January. Because they have fiscal notes, they will likely go next to the Senate Finance Committee for further review and consideration.
Take Action: Email the Senate Finance Committee to urge them to oppose mandatory minimum sentencing.
Two weeks ago, Governor Kelly Ayotte released her state budget proposal. Several New Futures’ budget priorities were included fully or partially, while other budget priorities will be worked on later through 2025 legislation.
Full funding for the Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Treatment Fund (the ‘Alcohol Fund’) was included in the Governor’s budget proposal. This critical funding is an innovative, fiscally responsible approach to addressing substance misuse in New Hampshire by directing five percent of alcohol sales to prevention, treatment, and recovery programming. It is administered by the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs.
Take Action: Tell us about your organization and the important work you do with funding from the Alcohol Fund.
