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HB 357 · 2025 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Limiting vaccine mandate rulemaking

AI-generated

relative 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
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. 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.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jim KofaltRPrime
  • 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 arguments

In 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.…”
— Sayra DeVito, Danville · Rockingham 8supports
“The Department of health and human services should not be allowed to add vaccines to the required school schedule through rule making.…”
— Valerie Murphy, Danvillesupports
“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.…”
— Renee Gardiner, Nashuasupports
“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.…”
— Sarah Radwan, Concordopposes
“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.…”
— Heather Pike, Pittsfieldopposes
“This bill would weaken our state's approach to public health, and would increase the risk of avoidable disease in children and adults.…”
— Maureen Dunn, Concordopposes
“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.…”
— Carol Petrusewicz, Rochesterneutral
“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.”
— Linda Bundy, Antrimneutral
“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.…”
— Angela Turcotte, Doverneutral

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-03-059:30 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsLOB 201Public hearing
  • 2025-04-099:45 amSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 2 P. 16
  2. Mar 5, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/05/2025 10:30 am LOB 201
  3. Mar 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/05/2025 10:30 am LOB 201
  4. Mar 12, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/12/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 17 P. 57
  5. Mar 17, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 195-174 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 31
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 10
  8. Apr 9, 2025Sen==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing: 04/09/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:15 am; SC 16
  9. May 1, 2025Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/01/2025; SC 19
  10. May 1, 2025SenHB 357 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  11. May 1, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/01/2025; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.