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SB 498 · 2026 · Senate · Health and Human Services Committee

Children's behavioral health funding association

AI-generated

relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.

Establishes the New Hampshire children's behavioral health association to collect assessments from insurance carriers and other payers to fund payments to care management entities providing childhood behavioral health services.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes the New Hampshire children's behavioral health association for the purpose of collecting assessments to fund payments to care management entities for the provision of childhood behavioral health services. The association is authorized to collect assessments from insurance carriers, stop loss carriers, and third-party administrators for fully insured and self-funded health plans. The assessment base would include covered lives in the state employee health plan, as well as pooled risk management programs under RSA 5-b. The funds provided for this purpose would be deposited in a dedicated fund administered by the insurance commissioner.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Regina BirdsellRPrimeMajority Leader

Public testimony

230 signed in online · 41 wrote testimony

99% support1% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am a psychiatric provider. Too many times my patients have a mental health crisis, re-stabilize in the hospital, and then are left afloat without support to return to the community once they discharge.…”
— Aslynn Romano, Concordsupports
“I am a mental health provider, a clinical social worker, and have worked with teens for the last 30 years. I strongly support all families having this option of wrap around services.”
— Beth Salvi-Hudgins, Newmarketsupports
“Having a 41 year career as a pediatric nurse practitioner, I know the importance of this bill addressing the comprehensive needs of children for them and their families. Behavioral issues comprise a huge amount of time and energy, in addition to expense, that stress our families.…”
— Susan McKeown, Manchestersupports
“Appears to be a way to charge insurance companies more, which would further increase rates for everyone”
— Cory Stone, DOVERopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-119:00 amSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 100Public hearing
  • 2026-04-1610:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-04-2210:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-04-2810:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-04-2910:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-05-0610:00 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing
  • 2026-05-0610:30 amHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsGP 229Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1
  2. Feb 11, 2026SenHearing: 02/11/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:30 am; SC 5
  3. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/05/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 26, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 11
  6. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  7. Mar 26, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 9 P. 54
  8. Mar 26, 2026HouseVacated and Referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Rep. Telerski): MA VV (in recess of) 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 55
  9. Apr 16, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/16/2026 01:30 pm GP 229
  10. Apr 22, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/22/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  11. Apr 28, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  12. Apr 29, 2026House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  13. May 6, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 05/06/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  14. May 6, 2026House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 05/06/2026 10:30 am GP 229
  15. May 6, 2026HouseMajority : Refer for Interim Study 05/06/2026 (Vote 14-4; RC) HC 19 P. 17
  16. May 7, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1757h
  17. May 14, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA DV 188-164 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 27
  18. May 14, 2026HouseReconsider Interim Study (Rep. Seibert): MF RC 162-183 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 50

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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