Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 549 · 2026 · Senate · Health and Human Services Committee

Syringe disposal and reporting rules

AI-generated

(New Title) requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

Requires certain syringe service program entities to provide disposal options for used syringes and needles and creates related reporting requirements.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 29, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creates reporting requirements for such entities.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“II-a.(a) Any entity operating a syringe service program in New Hampshire that involves the provision of sterile needles and syringes shall provide options for the disposal of used syringes, needles, and other related paraphernalia.”
Section 106:1
“Any organization required to provide options for the disposal of used syringes, needles, and other related paraphernalia shall undertake an annual marketing campaign to inform participants of free disposal options.”
Section 106:1
“At the time of a quarterly report, each entity operating a syringe service program in New Hampshire shall report to the department whether they are required to provide options for disposal as outlined in this paragraph and, if so, shall demonstrate their compliance.”
Section 106:1
“At the time of a quarterly report, each entity operating a syringe service program in New Hampshire shall report to the department calculated return rates.”
Section 106:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Keith MurphyRPrimeDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRVice Chair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

71% support29% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I oppose SB 549-FN because it imposes unrealistic return-rate mandates and new administrative burdens on syringe service programs while simultaneously eliminating the state funding these programs rely on.…”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes
“This would initiate cause for continued annual $1.7 million expense. Expenditures* $0 ($1.7 million) ($1.7 million) ($1.7 million)”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1040s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1040sadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Murphy Floor Amendment # 2026-1162sadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1040s and #2026-1162sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 15, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted186–152
    Overall
    55% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services1:38:40–1:44:496m 9slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floor3:05:54–3:07:221m 28slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1040s; Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-1040s and #2026-1162s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1040s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairsfrom 5:35:32located in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs25:05–31:056mlocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:00:40–4:09:599m 19slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 186-152; Referred to Finance; Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f)
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1
  2. Feb 4, 2026SenHearing: 02/04/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:15 am; SC 4
  3. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1040s, 03/12/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 9
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1040s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  5. Mar 12, 2026SenSen. Murphy Floor Amendment # 2026-1162s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  6. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1040s and #2026-1162s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 8 P. 114
  8. Mar 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
  9. Apr 15, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/15/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  10. Apr 15, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 04/15/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  11. Apr 15, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  12. Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 186-152 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 60
  13. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 60
  14. Apr 23, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 72
  15. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  16. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  17. May 28, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 106; Effective 08/26/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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