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HB 1719 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Dropping Hepatitis B vaccine requirement

AI-generated

removing Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which immunization is required under state law.

Removes Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which New Hampshire law requires childhood immunization.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · May 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill removes Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which childhood immunization is required.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kelley PotenzaRPrime
  • Rep. Liz BarbourRVice Chair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Mike DragoRMajority Whip
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Jim KofaltR, Rep. Linda McGrathR, Rep. Matt DrewR

Public testimony

492 signed in online · 119 wrote testimony

39% support61% oppose0% neutral

ForVaccination should be a parental/medical decision, not a mandate

AgainstVaccine prevents serious, often fatal liver disease

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“There are documented cases of severe vaccine injury from the hepatitis B vaccine. Where ever there is risk, there must be choice. Moreover, vaccine manufacturers are currently free from liability for these products.…”
— Oliver Renau, Nashuasupports
“No vaccines should be mandated in the state as we are a state of freedom.And the vaccine mandates are typically simply just for the pockets of the big pharma, companies who benefit when there is little medical research to back up the long term effects of such vaccines, or the fact that many of them don't even work, especially after covid.…”
— Theresa Schmidt, Newburysupports
“This vaccine is a completely unnecessary vaccine as the mother can be tested for Hepatitis B if if the mother tests positive that a medical decision can be made for that case. There in zero chance for infection do to behavior choices as a minor.”
— JR Hoell, DUNBARTONsupports
“I am writing in opposition to this bill. The position of NH Medical Society members— physicians and experts with extensive training, education, and experience in public health and clinical medicine—remains clear and consistent: the Hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective, and provides significant, lifelong benefits.…”
— Cathryn Stratton, Concord · NH Medical Societyopposes
“HB1719 Removing Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which immunization is required under state law Kelly Potenza-R, Keith Murphy-R, Kim Kofalt-R, Liz Barbour-R, Linda McGrath-R, Robert Wherry-R, Susan Deroy-R, Mike Drago-R, Matt Drew-R Contrary to stated reports that Hepatitis B is only a sexually transmitted disinfection.…”
— Margaret Jenkins RN, Gilfordopposes
“Please do not weaken the state of vaccinations in NH. The surrounding controversy of vaccinations is a manufactured news piece. We all know vaccines work (Just look at Smallpox and Polio). Do not weaken their ability to protect with politically motivated stunts like this.”
— Michael Derhammer, Portsmouthopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-149:00 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-01-282:00 pmHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-04-021:00 pmSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 33
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 10:30 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 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 6 P. 14
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 186-168 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 36
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 38
  8. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 62
  9. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 4
  10. Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 12
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026; Vote 3-1; CC; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; 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.