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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.

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

Hearings

  • 2026-01-149:00 amSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 100Public hearing
  • 2026-03-2410:00 amHouse Children and Family LawGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-03-3110:00 amHouse Children and Family LawGP 230Public hearing

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.