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SB 608 · 2026 · Senate · Health and Human Services Committee

Family caregiver and kinship care support

AI-generated

relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers.

Directs the department of health and human services to seek federal approval to cover family caregiver support services under specified Medicaid waiver programs and eliminates the child care scholarship cost share for children in kinship care.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill directs the department of health and human services to seek approval from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to cover family caregiver support services as an allowable service under specified waiver programs. The bill also eliminates the child care scholarship cost share for children in kinship care.

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

“The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to include family caregiver support services as an allowable service under the Acquired Brain Disorder (ABD) and the Choices for Independence (CFI) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs as determined under the individual service plan.”
RSA 151-E:29
“The department shall incorporate such services into the ABD and CFI HCBS programs through waiver amendments or at the respective waiver renewals for ABD and CFI HCBS programs.”
RSA 151-E:29
“Family caregiver support services shall be designed to sustain the ability of caregivers to provide care in the home and community.”
RSA 151-E:29
“Services may include, but are not limited to, counseling, education and training, peer support, caregiver assessment or other supports consistent with the purposes of this section.”
RSA 151-E:29

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David WattersDPrime
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRVice Chair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Mary Jane WallnerDSenior Democratic Advisor

Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

217 signed in online · 26 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing on behalf of the Special Needs Support Center in strong support of Senate Bill 608. At SNSC, we work alongside individuals with disabilities and their families across the Upper Valley every day.…”
— Kendra LaRoche, Lebanon · Special Needs Support Center of the Upper Valleysupports
“It is important to increase resources for people who care for individuals enrolled in two Medicaid wavier programs, the Acquired Brain Disorder (ABD) and Choices for Independence (CFI) programs.…”
— Cora Quisumbing-King, DOVERsupports
“I serve on a a YMCA Board. At the Y of Greater Londonderry we have a wonderful program called PASTA (Parenting a Second Time Around), which is a kinship/guardian childcare navigation and support program.…”
— Donna InDelicato, Windhamsupports

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 hearingSenate Health and Human Services5:09:10–5:18:249m 14slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0210s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0210s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0210s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1050s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1050s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1050s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 24, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Lawfrom 2:23:09located in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law1:43–9:488m 5slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1263h — roll call; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:47:13–1:48:0451slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1263h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1263h — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floor19:04–19:5147slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Rochefort Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • 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. Jan 14, 2026SenHearing: 01/14/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 47
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0210s, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0210s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0210s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  6. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1050s, 03/12/2026; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 9
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1050s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1050s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  9. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 8 P. 114
  10. Mar 24, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/24/2026 11:30 am GP 230
  11. Mar 31, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  12. Mar 31, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1263h 03/31/2026 (Vote 15-0; RC)
  13. Apr 9, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1263h: AA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 16
  14. Apr 9, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1263h: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 16
  15. Apr 9, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 17
  16. Apr 9, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 20
  17. Apr 16, 2026SenSen. Rochefort Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  18. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  19. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  20. May 28, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 109
  21. May 29, 2026SenI. Sections 3 and 4 of this act shall take effect as provided in Section 5
  22. May 28, 2026SenII. Remainder Effective 05/28/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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