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HB 1584 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Vaccine exemption and drug price notices

AI-generated

(Second New Title) directing the department of health and human services to provide notice of medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements and relative to notice of drug pricing options.

Requires the department of health and human services to notify families that medical and religious exemptions from childhood immunization requirements exist, and requires pharmacies to inform consumers of the lowest available prescription drug price.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 20, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Directs the department of health and human services to include in certain materials relative to childhood immunization requirements a statement indicating that medical and religious exemptions to such requirements are available under state law. II. Requires pharmacies to make efforts to notify consumers of their right to request the lowest available price for prescription drugs.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted.

“Any printed or electronic materials relative to required childhood immunizations in RSA 141-C:20-a produced by the department of health and human services and distributed in connection with school and child care enrollment on or after the effective date of this section shall include the following statement: "Medical and religious exemptions are available under New Hampshire law.”
RSA 141-C:20-g, I

The whole immunization half: one sentence that must appear on state enrollment materials, plus a link to the exemption rules.AI-generated

“Every pharmacy licensed in this state shall make reasonable efforts to notify consumers of their right to request the lowest available price for a prescription drug. Such notice may include, but is not limited to, verbal instruction from pharmacy staff, signage at check out, or printed material available for consumers to read.”
RSA 318:47-n, I

The pharmacy notice — "reasonable efforts," with three examples of what counts.AI-generated

“A pharmacy shall, upon request of a consumer, inform the consumer of available pricing options for a prescription drug, including the consumer’s cost under the consumer’s insurance plan, the pharmacy’s usual and customary cash price, and any available coupons, discounts, or rebate programs.”
RSA 318:47-n, II

On request, the pharmacy must lay out insurance price, cash price, and coupons side by side.AI-generated

“Section 1 of this act shall take effect 90 days after its passage. II. The remainder of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.”
Section 328:3

Two subjects, two start dates — the mark of a bill assembled in a committee of conference.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kelley PotenzaRPrime
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Also: Rep. Jim KofaltR

Public testimony

435 signed in online · 92 wrote testimony

41% support59% oppose0% neutral

ForEnsures transparency and informed consent about exemptions

AgainstWould increase exemption rates and disease outbreak risk

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Religious freedom and bodily autonomy are the very foundations of liberty. They must be protected and annunciated in every interaction government has with citizens.”
— Oliver Renau, Nashuasupports
“No one should be required to have a vaccine mandated by the government.Especially after the covid debacle that mandated in extremely deleterious bioweapon against the people”
— Theresa Schmidt, Newburysupports
“Vaccination should be done only with informed consent. Any coersion violates our right to be safe in our bodies, guaranteed by US Constitution.…”
— Marina Zlatin, Portsmouthsupports
“My name is Dr. Christine Arsnow. I am a primary care pediatrician and president of the NH Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The NHAAP opposes HB 1584. This bill is not necessary.…”
— Christine Arsnow, New London · New Hampshire Chapter American Academy of Pediatricsopposes
“As with HB1719, please do not weaken the state of vaccinations in NH. The surrounding controversy of vaccinations is a manufactured news piece.…”
— michael derhammer, portsmouthopposes
“This bill puts public health in danger by loosening regulations on required immunizations. More unvaccinated citizens equals more disease and death for our population. Why is this effort to regress to more deadly times even happening? Makes no sense”
— Evelyn Hagan, Bethlehemopposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs1:27:53–1:30:112m 18slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs5:40:12–5:42:352m 23slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0324h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:50:31–1:55:355m 4slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0324h — adopted, roll call 197-163; Amendment # 2026-0324h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services2:00:02–2:14:3414m 32slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1427s 2026-1959s and 2026-1960s and Requests CofC (Rep. W. MacDonald) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. W. MacDonald, Weyler, Drew, Markell
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor9:30:11–9:35:225m 11slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1427s; Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-1427s and #2026-1960s and #2026-1959s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1427s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2089c; Conference Committee Report # 2026-2089c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2178e Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamConference Committee Report 2026-2089c: Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2178e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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 Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 27
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 09:30 am GP 158
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0324h 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 6 P. 14
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0324h: AA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 29
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0324h: MA RC 197-163 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 29
  8. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 31
  9. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 62
  10. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 4
  11. Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 12
  12. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1427s, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 14A
  13. Apr 16, 2026SenHB 1584 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  14. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 04/16/2026 SJ 9
  15. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1427s, 05/14/2026, Vote 4-0; SC 18
  16. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1427s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  17. May 14, 2026SenSen. Reardon Floor Amendment # 2026-1960s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  18. May 14, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-1959s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  19. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1427s and #2026-1960s and #2026-1959s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  20. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1427s 2026-1959s and 2026-1960s and Requests CofC (Rep. W. MacDonald): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 151
  21. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. W. MacDonald, Weyler, Drew, Markell 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 151
  22. May 14, 2026SenSen. Rochefort Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  23. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Rochefort, Birdsell, Reardon; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  24. May 27, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
  25. May 27, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Abbas Replaces Senator Rochefort; SJ 14
  26. May 28, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Carson Replaces Senator Reardon; SJ 14
  27. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2089c; 06/04/2026
  28. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2089c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  29. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2089c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  30. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2178e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  31. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2178e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  32. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  33. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  34. Jul 15, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 328; eff. I. Sec I eff 10/13/2026 II. Rem eff 01/01/2027

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.