February 2026: Legislative Update on New Futures Policy Priorities
It’s the end of February, and the New Hampshire Legislature is two months into its 2026 session. Each year, New Futures works to solve problems through policy change. So far, we have informed advocates about more than 25 priority bills, and our policy team is tracking and engaging 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.
JUMP TO: Children & Families | Healthy Aging | Health Care Access | Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery
Children and Families
Improve Access to Child Care
Child care is an economic challenge holding New Hampshire families back, but House Bills 1195 and 1433 would expand access to quality child care through business-first solutions.
HB 1195 removes unnecessary zoning barriers that prevent family child care providers from operating in certain neighborhoods. This bill would allow more providers to enter the market and expand care options across the state.
Status: The House Municipal and County Government Committee held a public hearing on HB 1195 on February 10 and voted to advance the bill on February 17. Next, it will go to the House floor for a vote.
HB 1433 incentivizes businesses to create or expand child care programs through a tax credit covering 50% of eligible expenses. This enables employers to address workforce challenges by expanding access to quality child care for working families.
Status: The House Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on HB 1433 on February 2, and met to work on the bill twice recently. The bill is still awaiting a committee recommendation.
Action: Email your Representative(s) to show support for both bills!
Coverage for Children's Behavioral Health Care Coordination
Senate Bill 498 would close the private health insurance coverage gap for children’s behavioral health care coordination—programs that help families navigate complex systems as they face a child's intensive behavioral health challenges. 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 February 11. We are incredibly grateful to the many advocates in attendance. There were even two articles in the Concord Monitor that highlighted advocate stories and the importance of this bill. The committee voted 4-1 to recommend the bill as “ought to pass” to the full Senate, with Senators Regina Birdsell, Pat Long, Suzanne Prentiss, David Rochefort in favor of the bill, and Senator Kevin Avard opposed.
Action: Contact your State Senator to ask them to support the bill when it heads to the Senate floor on Thursday, March 5th or share your experience with youth mental health.
Changing Immunization Requirements
New Hampshire law requires that all children enrolled in any school, preschool, or licensed child care facility have certain immunizations to protect them and those around them from preventable diseases. Certain exemptions are allowed for families. Several bills in 2026 seek to weaken immunization requirements:
Eliminating All Vaccine Requirements: House Bill 1811 would have completely repealed all childhood immunization requirements for school and child care attendance in New Hampshire. Not only would this have exposed New Hampshire’s youngest children to measles and other preventable, dangerous diseases, but it would have also jeopardized $40 million annually in federal funding for child care scholarships.
Status: The House of Representatives voted to kill HB 1811 by a vote of 192-155 on February 19. This bill will not advance in 2026.
Mandatory Exception Notices: House Bill 1584 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to prominently display notice that exemptions are available under New Hampshire law on all vaccine-related communications and materials. The bill also loosens paperwork requirements for families using a religious exception.
Status: HB 1584 was passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 197-163 on February 12. The bill has crossed over to the Senate, and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee will schedule a public hearing in the coming weeks.
Ban on Vaccine Advertising: House Bill 1616 bans state agencies and local governments from advertising vaccines or spending any money on vaccine education, silencing the state’s ability to communicate with families about vaccine-preventable diseases during outbreaks or to provide educational resources to health care providers.
Status: The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee held a public hearing on HB 1616 on January 15, but has not yet voted on a recommendation for the bill.
Removing Hepatitis B Requirement: House Bill 1719 removes Hepatitis B from the list of vaccines required for children to attend school or child care. Removing one vaccine at a time sets a dangerous precedent that invites future bills to remove additional vaccines. An increase in Hepatitis B outbreaks requiring emergency response could cost the state $100,000 to $350,000 per outbreak.
Status: HB 1719 was passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 186-168 on February 12. The bill has crossed over to the Senate, and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee will schedule a public hearing in the coming weeks.
Action: Email your Representatives to oppose changes to vaccine requirements.
Weakening Access to Vaccines
Two other bills seek to make it harder for New Hampshire families to access vaccines:
School Vaccine Clinic Restrictions: House Bill 1449 bans vaccine clinics from operating at schools during school hours and requires a parent or guardian to be physically present. This creates significant barriers for working families and could reduce vaccination rates by making it harder for many parents to access convenient, no-cost vaccine clinics.
Status: The House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee held a public hearing on HB 1449 earlier this week and will soon vote on a recommendation for the bill.
Eliminating the New Hampshire Vaccine Association: House Bill 524, a retained bill from last session, aims to end our state’s current system for providing access to vaccines for children by eliminating the central fund that buys vaccines at a discount and offers them at no cost to New Hampshire children.
Status: After passing the House of Representatives last year, the House Commerce Committee opted to hold onto the bill. Early this year, the bill was amended and sent to a study committee, meaning a special committee would be established to study the effectiveness of the NHVA and make a recommendation on its future. This amended version passed the House of Representatives on January 7 and crossed over to the Senate. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will schedule a public hearing on the bill in the coming weeks.
Action: Email the Committee to urge them to protect the NHVA.
Protect 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. House Bill 1191 would have required families to opt-in to the survey rather than opt-out, which would significantly reduce participation and make it impossible to learn how to keep Granite State youth safe and healthy.
Status: The bill’s sponsors withdrew the bill, meaning that it will not move forward this session!
Oppose Changes to MTSS-B
MTSS-B is a proven, prevention-focused framework that helps New Hampshire schools identify and support students’ behavioral health and wellness needs. This includes universal strategies that benefit all students to more intensive, individualized support for those who need it most. At a time when children’s mental health needs are at an all-time high, House Bill 1754 would remove the statewide commitment to this evidence-based approach, leaving schools and students without critical mental health supports.
Status: After a public hearing before the House Education Policy and Administration Committee, committee members unanimously recommended the bill “Inexpedient to Legislate.” HB 1754 will now go to a full House floor vote on the consent calendar, where it will face a straight yes-or-no vote—a win for MTSS-B and the behavioral health of New Hampshire kids!
Medicaid to Schools
New Hampshire schools provide some students with services delivered by qualified medical or behavioral health treatment professionals, often as part of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Some students use Medicaid for their health insurance, so schools request federal Medicaid reimbursement.
Senate Bill 34 and House Bill 1640 could make it harder for schools to bill Medicaid, potentially reducing key funding for care that students are entitled to receive.
Status: SB 34 was a bill that was retained from the 2025 session. After different versions passed in the House and Senate, the bill’s progress was halted in the Senate, which rejected the House’s changes. This positive turnaround is something to celebrate!
Status: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee recommended the bill “Inexpedient to Legislate” in a 9-7 vote. HB 1640 will now go to a full House floor vote with a committee recommendation to oppose the bill.
Healthy Aging
Help Older Adults Afford Medicare Through Medicare Savings Programs
New Hampshire's Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help pay for health care costs not covered by Medicare, such as monthly premiums and co-pays when you see a doctor. Right now, an individual with more than $9,950 in emergency savings is automatically denied help, regardless of their income. Senate Bill 545 would remove this financial savings limit, helping more older adults afford health care while keeping their savings for expenses that help them stay in their homes.
Status: The Senate passed SB 545 unanimously in mid-February. The Senate Finance Committee is currently reviewing the bill.
Action: Email the Senate Finance Committee to urge them to support helping older Granite Staters afford Medicare.
Support Family and Kinship Caregivers
Family caregivers are the invisible backbone of New Hampshire's care system, providing essential support to older adults and raising children, yet they often lack the resources they need to sustain this critical work. Senate Bill 608 would provide support services such as counseling, education, and training for family caregivers assisting individuals in certain Medicaid waiver programs, and improve access to affordable child care for grandparents and other relatives raising children. Read how SB 608 would help two New Hampshire grand-families in this NH Bulletin article.
Status: The Senate passed SB 608 unanimously in late January. The Senate Finance Committee is currently reviewing the bill.
Action: Email the Senate Finance Committee to urge them to support family and kinship caregivers.
Maintain Senior Volunteer Programs
New Hampshire’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) connects adults 55+ with meaningful service opportunities that meet community needs. Volunteers advance local solutions by tutoring children, helping isolated neighbors with daily tasks, and providing older adults with transportation to medical appointments. House Bill 704 would fund the RSVP in New Hampshire, which benefits everyone: communities grow stronger, individuals receive needed support, and volunteers themselves experience improved health and reduced loneliness.
Status: HB 704 was retained in the 2025 session and an amended version of the bill that supports the Retired Senior Volunteer Program was passed by the House of Representatives in early January 2026. The Senate Finance Committee held a public hearing on HB 704 on February 17, and will next vote on a recommendation.
Action: Email the Senate Finance Committee to urge them to support senior volunteer programs.
Protect Access to Local Emergency Assistance
Local welfare is the last resort safety net for New Hampshire residents facing crisis, helping provide emergency shelter, food, and medicine when all other options are exhausted. This program is critical for older adults, who experience poverty and homelessness at higher rates than other age groups. House Bill 348 would significantly restrict access to local welfare by requiring individuals to prove residency with documents that many unhoused individuals don’t have, and by letting towns cap monthly assistance at just $652—an amount that doesn't even cover one month’s rent.
Status: The Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee is holding a public hearing to receive input on House Bill 348 on Tuesday, March 3, at 9:30 am at the State House in room 122-123.
Action: Sign in to oppose HB 348 by midnight on March 3.
Health Care Access
Ensure Access to Timely Health Care
Every Granite Stater deserves access to health care close to home when they need it, yet many face long wait times or find an in-network doctor who doesn’t have available appointments. Senate Bill 546 aims to improve patient access to timely health care by verifying that private health insurance companies keep their provider lists accurate and up to date.
Status: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing on SB 546 on January 14, but has not yet voted on a recommendation.
Action: Email the Senate Health and Human Services Committee to urge them to improve timely access to health care.
Support a No-Cost, Privacy-First Prescription Discount Card
More than half of New Hampshire residents worry about affording their prescriptions, and one in four have skipped or rationed them due to cost. To help lower prescription costs, Senate Bill 647 would bring a free prescription discount card program to New Hampshire that saves residents money without selling their personal data.
Status: SB 647 is awaiting a public hearing before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Action: Sign the petition to support lowering prescription costs in New Hampshire, or share your experience with high costs.
Protect Medicaid for All
New Hampshire Medicaid provides health insurance coverage to over 176,000 Granite Staters, including children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and working adults. New requirements and costs are coming to our state’s Medicaid program due to new state and federal laws. New Futures is working as part of the NH Medicaid Matters coalition to ensure these changes don’t cause Granite Staters to lose their essential health care coverage.
Status: Changes to NH Medicaid programs were signed into law in 2025 with various start dates—some immediately and some over the next several years. Learn more about the laws and view the timeline at nhneedsmedicaid.com/medicaid-changes.
Action: Share what health insurance means to you or how the upcoming changes will impact you or your family. If you get your health insurance through the ACA Marketplace and have experienced increases in monthly costs, consider sharing your Marketplace experience with NH Medicaid Matters.
Substance Use Prevention, Treatment & Recovery
Protecting Youth from Addictive Products
Several bills moving throughout the legislature would close loopholes that allow companies to market and sell addictive products to youth. Starting substance use before age 15 makes someone four-to-six times more likely to develop a substance use disorder—and for the companies selling these products, that means lifelong customers.
Hemp-Derived THC Products: Senate Bill 624 prohibits sales of hemp-derived THC products and strengthens penalties for licensed establishments that continue to sell these products.
Status: The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to recommend passage of SB 624. The full Senate will vote on the bill on March 5.
Total THC Measurement: Companies sell high-potency hemp-derived THC products labeled as “compliant” by measuring only one form of THC and ignoring other potent forms that convert to THC when consumed. Senate Bill 461 requires measuring total THC concentration, including all forms that become psychoactive, just like we measure total alcohol content in beverages.
Status: The Senate voted unanimously to pass SB 461 in early February. The bill has crossed over to the House of Representatives, and a House committee will schedule a public hearing next.
Kratom: Synthetic kratom is an addictive opioid-like substance that has no age restrictions or safety standards in New Hampshire. Gas stations and convenience stores sell it with zero oversight. Senate Bill 557 establishes a 21+ age requirement, prohibits child-targeted packaging, requires warning labels, mandates licensing, and bans synthetic versions.
Status: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on SB 557 on February 10, but has not yet voted on a recommendation.
Action: Email the Senate Judiciary Committee to urge them to support kratom regulations.
Deceptive Vapes: Vaping companies disguise nicotine products as highlighters, USB drives, smartwatches, and candy to hide use from parents and teachers. House Bill 1538 prohibits marketing vapes that imitate non-vape products, use child-appealing characters, or include video game features.
Status: The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee held a public hearing on February 11 and voted against the bill advancing on February 18. The full House is expected to vote to kill the bill in early March.
Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide sold for recreational inhalation has no restrictions despite documented brain damage, suffocation deaths, and targeted marketing to teens. House Bill 1630 prohibits the sale of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes, especially flavored products marketed to youth, while protecting legitimate uses (medical, food service, automotive).
Status: The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee held a public hearing on HB 1630 on February 11 and has not yet voted on a recommendation for the bill.
Action: Email the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee to urge them to ban nitrous oxide sales.
Ensuring Recovery Homes Are Safe and Effective
Recovery housing provides safe, stable living environments that support those in our communities who are in recovery from substance use disorder. Senate Bill 298 would require all recovery housing to meet statewide certification standards, ensuring protection for residents so they have access to safe housing that supports their recovery journey. The bill would also strengthen the recovery housing system across our state.
Status: The Senate voted to pass SB 298 with amendment. The bill will now cross over to the House of Representatives for further work.
Action: Add your organization or business to our sign-on letter in support of this bill, share your experience with recovery housing, or contact your state representative(s).
Oversight of the Substance Use Treatment System
New Hampshire has many outpatient substance use disorder treatment providers that deliver high-quality, evidence-based care. However, without state licensing, there is no way for patients and families to know where to find safe and effective care. House Bill 751 initially sought to protect patients by ensuring these facilities are licensed.
Status: Unfortunately, the House added an amendment that replaced patient protections with a mere study committee, despite the issue already having been thoroughly considered by a previous committee. Several dedicated advocates came out to the hearing to ask state senators to restore the bill’s original intent, but instead the Senate added an amendment with two unrelated policies relating to public schools. As the bill’s goals have changed drastically, we are no longer supporting it.
