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SB 646 · 2026 · Senate · Health and Human Services Committee

Mental health parity coverage standards

AI-generated

relative to mental health standards of care.

Provides that parity in coverage for certain biologically-based mental illnesses shall be consistent with New Hampshire Medicaid's scope of coverage and reimbursement rates.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill provides that parity in coverage for certain biologically-based mental illnesses shall be consistent with New Hampshire Medicaid scope of coverage and reimbursement rates.

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

“The following mental illnesses, as defined in the most current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association, shall be covered under this section:”
RSA 417-E:1
“The benefits required under this section shall begin when benefits provided under RSA 415:18-a and RSA 420-B:8-b, as applicable are exhausted.”
RSA 417-E:1
“The commissioner shall have the authority to enforce the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (the Act), including any amendments thereto and any federal rules adopted thereunder, and may adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, as may be necessary to effectuate any provisions of the Act that relate to the business of insurance.”
RSA 417-E:1
“The commissioner shall periodically require health insurers, health service corporations, and health maintenance organizations to submit the comparative analysis described in 42 U.S.C. section 300gg-26(a)(8)(A) for review to ensure compliance with this chapter and with the Act.”
RSA 417-E:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. David RochefortRPrimeChair· Health and Human Services

Public testimony

10 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseVoice voteVacated and Referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Rep. Muns)adopted
  • Apr 29, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services2:38:26–2:44:235m 57slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamIntroduced (in recess); Vacated and Referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Rep. Muns) — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 16, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs4:29:39–4:32:342m 55slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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 28, 2026SenHearing: 01/28/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 3
  3. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/05/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 8 P. 114
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseVacated and Referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Rep. Muns): MA VV (in recess of) 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 115
  7. Apr 16, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/16/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
  8. Apr 22, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/22/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  9. Apr 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  10. Apr 29, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/29/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 19 P. 10
  11. May 14, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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