HB 357 · 2025 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee
Limiting vaccine mandate rulemaking
AI-generatedrelative to the department of health and human services' rulemaking authority regarding immunization requirements.
Limits mandatory childhood immunizations to diseases listed in statute and removes the health commissioner's authority to add other diseases to the requirement by rule.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 1, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✕Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill limits childhood immunization requirements to diseases identified in statute. The bill removes the authority of the commissioner of health and human services to adopt rules requiring immunization for additional childhood diseases.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“All parents or legal guardians shall have their children, who are residing in this state, immunized against [certain diseases.”
“These diseases shall include, but not be limited to,] diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, rubeola, and tetanus.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
- Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration
- Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
- Rep. Keith AmmonRMajority Floor Leader
- Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
Also: Rep. Barbara ComtoisR, Rep. Jonah WheelerD
Public testimony
893 signed in online · 223 wrote testimony
19% support81% oppose0% neutral
ForVaccine mandates should go through the legislature, not agency rulemaking
AgainstVaccine policy should be set by medical experts, not legislators
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“Dear Chair, Vice Chair and Honorable Members of the Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee, I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill 357, which seeks to refine the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) rulemaking authority concerning immunization requirements.…”
“The Department of health and human services should not be allowed to add vaccines to the required school schedule through rule making.…”
“The public (ie, parents) should have visibility and input into the list of vaccines that children are required to have to attend school. The legislative process would allow for this.…”
“I am a pediatrician with 30 years of professional experience, both overseas and in this country. I have witnessed in person the devastating effects of poor/low vaccination rates due to misguided vaccine skepticism on children as well as immunocompromised adults.…”
“Oppose I beg all members hearing this testimony to oppose this bill, and any others that attempt to remove access to vaccinations, block the ability of the state of New Hampshire and provide providers to get vaccines to people, both adults and children.…”
“This bill would weaken our state's approach to public health, and would increase the risk of avoidable disease in children and adults.…”
“Please amend to include infections verses diseases: "Infections come and go within a week to 10 days and leave behind a lifetime of immunity. A disease is something that comes and stays, and frequently can't be cured.…”
“The law should remain as it is now. The commissioner of Health and Human Services should have the authority to determine which vaccines are necessary for the public health. Legislators should not be deciding which vaccines are required.”
“Respected members of the committee, I am a resident of Dover, NH and a mother of 5, I want to be able to support this bill however, this does not remove the power of the state to dictate medical decisions.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Mar 12, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8Overall56% yea
- Overall53% yeaParty-line voteRepublicans194–996% yeaDemocrats1–1651% yea
- May 1, 2025SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0Overall100% yea
- May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted
Hearings and debates
- Mar 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs1:21:59–1:26:334m 34slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
- Mar 27, 2025Floor debateHouse floor2:06:10–2:13:036m 53slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 195-174
- Apr 9, 2025Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services2:17:38–2:26:519m 13slocated in the stream transcript==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing
- May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:40:56–1:45:534m 57slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote; HB 357 was Removed from the Consent Calendar
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 2 P. 16
- Mar 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/05/2025 10:30 am LOB 201
- Mar 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/05/2025 10:30 am LOB 201
- Mar 12, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/12/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 17 P. 57
- Mar 17, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 27, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 195-174 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 31
- Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 10
- Apr 9, 2025Sen==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing: 04/09/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 16
- May 1, 2025Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/01/2025; SC 19
- May 1, 2025SenHB 357 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
- May 1, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Background reading
Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.
KFF — Who sets school vaccine rules, what every state requires, and how exemptions differ.AI-generated
KFF — The recent wave of state changes, with exemption rates at record highs.AI-generated
CDC Public Health Law Program — The federal compilation of state requirements and exemption categories.AI-generated
History of Vaccines (College of Physicians of Philadelphia) — How the childhood schedule is set, and by whom.AI-generated
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.