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HB 358 · 2025 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Easing religious vaccine exemptions

AI-generated

relative to exemption from immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief.

Allows a parent or guardian to claim a religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements by providing a signed written statement, removing the prior requirement to use a specific state form.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · December 17, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✕Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“Childhood immunizations play an important role in preventing the resurgence and spread of previously deadly diseases. While parents must be the final decision makers on what immunizations their child receives, the State already has an established process by which parents can claim a religious exemption, and I see no reason to change it. For this reason, I have vetoed House Bill 358.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Jul 15, 2025
Governor's press releaseHouse Journal 19, p. 19

The House voted 176–175 on the override (Dec 17, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained. See the roll call.

Analysis

This bill provides that a parent or legal guardian may claim an exemption from childhood immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief by providing a signed statement to that effect. The bill removes the statutory reference to a form used for such purpose.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“A physician licensed under RSA 329, or a physician exempted under RSA 329:21, III, certifies that immunization against a particular disease may be detrimental to the child's health.”
RSA 141-C:20-c
“The exemption shall exist only for the length of time, in the opinion of the physician, such immunization would be detrimental to the child.”
RSA 141-C:20-c
“An exemption from immunization for one disease shall not affect other required immunizations.”
RSA 141-C:20-c

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jim KofaltRPrime
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRVice Chair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference

Also: Rep. Barbara ComtoisR, Rep. Jonah WheelerD

Public testimony

1,036 signed in online · 284 wrote testimony

16% support84% oppose0% neutral

ForA signed statement should suffice, not the DHHS form

AgainstRisks declining vaccination rates and disease outbreaks

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 358, which seeks to simplify the process for parents and legal guardians to claim a religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements.…”
— Sayra DeVito, Danville · Rockingham 8supports
“Please change the wording back. We want it to be easier for parents to do what is best for their families, not more difficult. Thank you.”
— Kristal Tanguay, Derrysupports
“Keep Religious exemptions easily accessible for families and individuals. My 18 year old wrote her own and it should be that way for all.”
— Tammy MacNeil, Brentwoodsupports
“There is NO reason for a religious exemption to exist. There are no 'dead babies' in vaccinations. This is deliberate nonsensical way for people to be anti vax and cause death in children that can't fight for themselves. This is shenanigans and should NOT be allowed.…”
— Jennifer Suitter, Merrimackopposes
“Please do not pass... our state needs to be a safe healthy environment for all children living here.”
— Martha-Jean Madison, Northwoodopposes
“Every child desearves to live no matter what circumstances they come from. Any childs death will be blamed on those that voted yes pn this bill”
— Karen Collman, Franconiaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 12, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted206–169How they voted
    Overall
    55% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    205–1100% yea
    Democrats
    1–1681% yea
  • May 8, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1753s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-1753sadopted
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1753sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Jun 12, 2025HouseRoll callHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1753s (Rep. W. MacDonald)Adopted194–153How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    193–199% yea
    Democrats
    1–1521% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
  • Dec 17, 2025HouseRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsFailed176–175How they voted
    Overall
    50% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    175–1393% yea
    Democrats
    1–1621% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 5, 2025Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs3:06:03–3:07:131m 10slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateHouse floor2:18:32–2:20:412m 9slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 206-169
  • Apr 9, 2025Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services2:57:10–2:58:191m 9slocated in the stream transcript==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1753s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1753s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-1753s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:18:12–1:21:072m 55slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1753s (Rep. W. MacDonald) — adopted, roll call 194-153
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:26:20–1:27:371m 17slocated in the stream transcriptVeto Sustained — roll call 176-175

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

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 11:30 am LOB 201
  3. Mar 5, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/05/2025 11:30 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 206-169 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 33
  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, 10:30 am; SC 16
  9. May 8, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1753s, 05/08/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 20
  10. May 8, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1753s, AA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  11. May 8, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1753s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  12. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1753s (Rep. W. MacDonald): MA RC 194-153 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 10
  13. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  14. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  15. Jul 15, 2025HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025 HJ 19 P. 19
  16. Dec 17, 2025HouseVeto Sustained 12/17/2025: RC 176-175 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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