This Week at the State House (Week of 2/10/2025)
It’s an important week at the State House: on Thursday at 10:00 am, Governor Kelly Ayotte will deliver her Budget Address, where she will outline her key policy and funding priorities. You can tune in to watch the address on YouTube.
There are also bills headed for hearings this week. Learn More:
This 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.
Monday, February 10, 10:45 AM
Senate Health and Human Services Committee, State House Room 100
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Supporting the Futures of Children in Foster Care: House Bill 661 would ensure that any income children in foster care receive through survivor benefits, disability payments, and Veterans benefits would be used for unmet needs or preserved for their future. Young adults could then use these funds for needs like housing, education, and essentials. Passing HB 661 would be a crucial step in supporting the well-being and long-term success of all our children. You can learn more in this report, which was commissioned by the legislature last year.
Tuesday, February 11, 1:00 PM
House Children & Family Law Cmte., Legislative Office Bldg. Rm 206-208
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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. Caregiver respite services support family caregivers, preventing burnout so they can continue to provide quality care for their loved ones. Senior volunteer programs address community needs, providing services like companionship, transportation, and mentorship, benefiting both the individuals served and the volunteers. Together, these existing, high-impact programs create a more supportive and resilient LTSS system.
Wednesday, February 12, 9:30 AM
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Cmte., LOB Room 301
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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.
Wednesday, February 12, 10:30 AM
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Cmte., LOB Room 201
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Protecting Dental Health: House Bill 691 would be a step backward for New Hampshire, stopping our communities from adding fluoride to public drinking water. Fluoridation is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay. Eliminating this proven public health measure would increase health care costs and disproportionately harm children and those of us working for low wages.
Wednesday, February 12, 1:30 PM
House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, LOB 305
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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, Senate Bill 268, Senate Bill 38, and 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 Committee, Legislative Office Building 206-208
Last Week's Hearings
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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.
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Strengthening New Hampshire’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.
Recapping Last Week's Votes
Housing Security for Older Adults: Last week, the House of Representatives voted to pass House Bill 60, which 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. HB 60 will now advance to the Senate.
For more information about these issues and other priority legislation, please visit our Current Legislation page.
Thank you for taking action!
