Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1286 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Waiver for declining dental X-rays

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the practice of dentistry and when radiographic examinations are required.

Permits a dentist to treat a patient who declines a radiographic examination, provided the patient signs a waiver of liability.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill provides that a dentist may treat a patient who declines to have a radiographic examination and the dentist in such cases shall require the patient to sign a waiver of liability.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Notwithstanding RSA 317-A:17, II(j), a dentist may treat a patient who has declined to have a radiographic examination.”
Section 1
“In such cases, the dentist shall require the patient to sign a waiver of liability, indicating that the patient waives the right to sue the dentist in the event that the lack of a radiographic examination results in unforeseen injury to the patient.”
Section 1
“No dentist shall be subject to license suspension, revocation, or any other disciplinary action by the board for actions taken pursuant to this paragraph.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike DragoRPrimeMajority Whip
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Katy PeternelRVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Diane PauerRChair· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy

Also: Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR

Public testimony

25 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Body autonomy and informed consent are paramount. Nobody should be required to get an X-ray or any other radiation against their consent.”
— Tammy Shultz, Merrimacksupports
“Testing of any kind, whether dental or otherwise, should NEVER be mandated.”
— Robin Parsons, Penacooksupports
“I take wonderful care of my teeth. My hygienist tells me too. Then they turn around and tell me I HAVE to have xrays done annually or they won't see me. I find this practice to be an insult and overstep on something not needed for my health.…”
— Darlene Roy, Alexandriasupports

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 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0914h (NT)14–2
    Overall
    88% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0914hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0914hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:35:08–1:38:373m 29slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:44:35–1:47:282m 53slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0914h (NT); Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0914h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0914h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration1:23:40–1:37:3613m 56slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 14
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 11:00 am GP 153
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  4. Mar 3, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0914h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 14-2; CC) HC 10 P. 19
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0914h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 41
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0914h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 41
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
  8. Apr 1, 2026SenHearing: 04/01/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 12
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/07/2026; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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