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

Dropping Hepatitis B vaccine requirement

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

✓Introduced
✓House
✕Senate
Governor
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.

In the bill's words

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

“All parents or legal guardians shall have their children, who are residing in this state, immunized against diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, rubeola, tetanus, varicella, [Hepatitis B,] and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).”

Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

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

Votes

yeanay

Starting text: Bill as introduced

Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8
Overall
56% yea
Feb 12, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted186–168How they voted
Overall
53% yea
Party-line vote
Republicans
185–1194% yea
Democrats
1–1571% yea
May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–1
Overall
75% yea
May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs2:05:49–2:35:2329m 34slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor3:41:19–3:54:1812m 59slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 186-168; Referred to Finance; Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f)
Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services55:08–1:09:3214m 24slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 33
Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 10:30 am GP 158
Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 6 P. 14
Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 186-168 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 36
Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 38
Feb 12, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 62
Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 4
Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 12
May 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026; Vote 3-1; CC; SC 17
May 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

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

State and local policies on school vaccine requirements: overview and current statusExplainer
KFF — Who sets school vaccine rules, what every state requires, and how exemptions differ.AI-generated
A look at recent changes to state vaccine requirements for school childrenTrend data
KFF — The recent wave of state changes, with exemption rates at record highs.AI-generated
State school immunization requirements and vaccine exemption lawsPrimary source
CDC Public Health Law Program — The federal compilation of state requirements and exemption categories.AI-generated
The development of the immunization scheduleBackground
History of Vaccines (College of Physicians of Philadelphia) — How the childhood schedule is set, and by whom.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

Introducedversion

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