This Week at the State House (Week of 2/17/2025)
It’s another busy week at the State House and we have more important updates for you!
In her Budget Address last Thursday, Governor Kelly Ayotte outlined several key initiatives that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of families across our state. We’re happy to report that the budget proposal provides adequate funding for the NH Child Care Scholarship Program, the Alcohol Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Fund (‘Alcohol Fund’), and the Children’s System of Care for Behavioral Health, among others. Read our full statement. There are several steps left in the budget process and we will work with the Governor's office and legislators to ensure these essential programs and others receive adequate funding.
While the NH House of Representatives works on their version of the budget, key bills impacting children and families are headed for hearings and votes:
This Week's Hearings
Momnibus 2.0: Senate Bill 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.
Wednesday, February 19, 9:00 AM
Senate Health & Human Services Committee, State House Room 100
Improving Access to Child Care: Senate Bill 243 would make critical updates to the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship to streamline the application process, reduce processing delays, and improve the payment system to child care centers. These changes will help child care centers expand access to affordable, quality child care for Granite State families.
Wednesday, February 19, 9:30 AM
Senate Health and Human Services Cmte., State House Room 100
Removing Anti-Discrimination Protections: It's important for all Granite Staters to feel safe and have privacy in the places we visit every day, like hospitals, workplaces, libraries, and shops. Unfortunately, House Bill 148 would make life harder and less safe for transgender Granite Staters. It would roll back bipartisan discrimination protections in restrooms and locker rooms at places like these. While claiming to protect safety, the bill ignores current laws making it already illegal to harm or harass anyone in these spaces.
Wednesday, February 19, 9:00 AM
House Judiciary Cmte., LOB 206-208
Upcoming Committee Votes
Strengthening Crisis Care: Senate Bill 255 is a fiscally responsible, bipartisan 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. The Access Point provides 24/7 counseling via call, text, and chat for those of us experiencing mental health or substance use crises. Email the committee to urge them to support funding for our crisis care system.
Growing the Health Care Workforce: Senate Bill 244 builds on the work of the New Hampshire Health Care Workforce Coalition to address our state’s workforce crisis that impacts access to quality and timely health care for our residents. SB 244 includes investments in important programs and initiatives that attract, train, and retain health care workers within New Hampshire. Email the committee to urge them to support investments in our health care workforce.
Last Week's Hearings
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. Email the Senate Health and Human Services Committee to urge them to support this critical legislation.
Removing Anti-Discrimination Protections: Like House Bill 148 mentioned above, Senate Bill 38 and Senate Bill 268 threaten the mental well-being of the Granite State's young people by specifically targeting LGBTQ+ youth and families.
Protecting Access to Immunizations for Children: House Bill 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) that is used by the state to purchase vaccines for all children. If this bill passes, doctors' offices would need to buy immunizations upfront and then bill insurance companies directly for children with private insurance. Families would likely be required to pay co-pays. There’s still time to email the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee to urge them to oppose this legislation.
Investing in Caregiver Relief and Senior Volunteer Programs: House Bill 704 would strengthen New Hampshire communities by investing in caregiver respite and senior volunteer programs. These existing, high-impact programs create a more supportive and resilient Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) system and benefit everyone in New Hampshire. Email the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee to urge them to support this legislation.
For more information about these issues and other priority legislation, please visit our Current Legislation page.
Thank you for taking action!
