HB 1316 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee
Limits on state autism data collection
AI-generatedrestricting the collection and disclosure of autism-related data by state agencies.
Restricts state agencies under the governor's control, along with their contractors and vendors, from collecting or scraping personally identifiable autism-related data except for specific permitted purposes, and limits disclosure of such data outside state government.AI-generated
Status
Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · February 25, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill directs state agencies to ensure they are not collecting or using data scraping technology to gather autism-related data, unless such data collection practices comply with state and federal law and are limited to the specific purpose for which the data is gathered.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
Also: Rep. Billie ButlerD, Rep. Alice WadeD
Public testimony
492 signed in online · 148 wrote testimony
91% support9% oppose0% neutral
ForAutistic people deserve the same privacy, dignity, and civil rights
AgainstUnspecified opposition
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“Persons with autism or on the spectrum need support from the government or eugenics will ensue!”
“Protect Autism Data Privacy in NH – Support SB 1316 ?? New Hampshire is considering SB 1316, a bill that protects the privacy of autistic people by safeguarding sensitive autism-related data.…”
“Testimony in Support of HB 1316 – Protecting the Privacy of Autistic Individuals My name is Seana Hallberg, and I am here in strong support of HB 1316. I wrote this bill because I am a parent, a clinician, and a disability advocate—and because protecting the privacy of autistic individuals is deeply personal to me.…”
“I strongly support this step to prevent the invasion of privacy for our autistic citizens.”
“This is an absolute violation of doctor-patient privilege. A person's diagnoses, whatever they may be, are between them and their doctor.…”
“As an OBGYN that is protecting the health of our pregnant mothers and their newborns, the importance of vaccines cannot be overstated.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2026-02-049:00 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing
- 2026-02-182:30 pmHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearingrescheduled
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 15
- Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
- Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
- Feb 18, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 90
- Feb 25, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.