This Week at the State House (Week of 2/3/2025)
It’s the first week of February, and activity is picking up at the State House! There are hearings on several New Futures priority bills this week, including five hearings on Wednesday. Scroll down to learn more about the bills and to get involved.
The Senate was also in session last week and voted on bills relating to mandatory minimum sentencing for drug-related charges. Learn more in our Recapping Last Week’s Votes section below.
This Week's Hearings
Expanding Eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs: Senate Bill 122 aims to help older adults get the health care they need to stay healthy and financially secure. It proposes to expand eligibility for New Hampshire's Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) by increasing the income limit and removing the resource limit which will allow more low-income older adults to qualify.
Wednesday, February 5, 9:15 AM
Sen. Health and Human Services Committee, LOB Room 101
SB 122
SIGN IN TO SUPPORT SB 122
Growing NH’s 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.
Wednesday, February 5, 9:30 AM
Senate Health and Human Services Committee, LOB Room 101
SB 244
SIGN IN TO SUPPORT SB 244
Protecting 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.
Wednesday, February 5, 1:00 PM
Senate Health and Human Services Committee, LOB 101
SB 134
SIGN IN TO OPPOSE SB 134
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.
Thursday, February 6, 11:00AM
Senate Health and Human Services, LOB Room 101
SB 255
SIGN IN TO SUPPORT SB 255
Protecting the Office of Health Equity: The Office of Health Equity, created in 1999 as the Office of Minority Health, assures equitable access to effective, quality DHHS programs and services across all populations, with specialized focus on breaking down barriers to care for vulnerable NH residents. This office provides language and communication assistance to all who need it, including individuals who are Deaf or have hearing loss, are blind have low vision, or have limited English proficiency. House Bill 392 directs the state to remove this office, jeopardizing access to services for vulnerable populations in New Hampshire.
Wednesday, February 5, 9:30 AM
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Cmte., LOB 210-211
HB 392
SIGN IN TO OPPOSE HB 392
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. House Bill 751 would improve our substance use treatment system by strengthening patient protections and ensuring high quality services across the state.
Wednesday, February 5, 10:30 AM
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Cmte., LOB Room 210
HB 751
SIGN IN TO SUPPORT HB 751
Upcoming Votes
Housing Security for Older Adults: House Bill 60 threatens to remove existing 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. Unfortunately, the House Housing Committee voted on a recommendation to pass the bill. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill on Thursday, February 6. Email your Representative(s) to urge them to vote against no-cause evictions.
EMAIL YOUR STATE REP(S)
Recapping Last Week’s Hearings
Supporting the Development of Recovery Housing: Last week, the House Municipal and County Government Committee held a public hearing on HB 432, the bill that would support the development of recovery housing in our state by helping cities and towns develop recovery housing resources. Dozens of individuals, including many who have lived in recovery homes themselves, testified in person about their experience. There’s still time to email the committee before they vote on a recommendation for this bill.
EMAIL HOUSE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 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. Two weeks ago, the House Education Policy and Administration Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 446. Originally, HB446 would have required schools to share YRBS questions with families via email. But a new amendment (42h) 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. Email the committee to urge them to oppose amendment 42h.
EMAIL HOUSE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Recapping Last Week’s Votes
Mandatory Minimums: The Senate voted to pass amended versions of both SB 14 and SB 15 last week. 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. Both bills will be referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
EMAIL SENATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
For more information about these issues and other New Futures' priority legislation, visit our Current Legislation page.
