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HB 1117 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Health provider communication protections

AI-generated

relative to the right of licensed health care providers to freely communicate with patients, colleagues, and the public about medical information, emerging therapies, and treatment options.

Prohibits disciplinary action, professional sanction, or civil or criminal liability against health care providers for good-faith communications with patients, other providers, or the public about emerging treatments and off-label medication uses.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · April 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill provides that a health care provider shall not be subject to disciplinary action, professional sanction, or civil or criminal liability for communicating with a patient, another provider, or the public about emerging medical research, experimental treatments, innovative therapies, or off-label uses of medications, provided the communication is made in good faith and not knowingly false or misleading.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“"Health care provider" means a person licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide medical or health care services, including but not limited to physicians, surgeons, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and other allied health professionals.”
RSA 332-O:1
“A licensed health care provider shall not be subject to disciplinary action, professional sanction, or civil or criminal liability for:”
RSA 332-O:2
“A health care provider who alleges a violation of this chapter may bring a civil action in the superior court against any person or entity responsible for the violation.”
RSA 332-O:4
“If any provision of this chapter is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect.”
RSA 332-O:5

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Linda McGrathRPrime
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy

Also: Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR, Rep. Jonathan MortonR, Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. Paul TerryR

Public testimony

187 signed in online · 30 wrote testimony

90% support10% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Medical professionals need this bill to protect them from possibly being punished for doing their job to help and care for patients. There are many treatment options, and all should be explored.”
— Cory Stone, Doversupports
“I support this bill to prevent suppression of professional speech. The use of licensing and permitting to keep doctors toeing the government line was an attack on the first amendment rights of doctors I hope never to see again.…”
— tom luther, claremontsupports
“This bill enshrines a medical professional's right to free speech in medicine.”
— Valerie Murphy, Danvillesupports
“I oppose this bill because it undermines medical standards and allow dissemination of misinformation.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes
“This bill not necessary for what the proposer is looking to solve. May cause unexpected harm by not holding a doctor accountable for proscribing treatments/meds they "think/feel" might be helpful. Doctors guidance must be backed by science.”
— Leigh Hutchinson, Derryopposes
“Since we cannot discern the true intent of every alternative medical practice, and since policy already exists to inform patients of trials and procedures, I feel this bill would remove too many guardrails from a fragile system. I oppose, and suggest ITL”
— ST LU, Merrimackopposes

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 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1026h10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-1026hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1026hAdopted176–145
    Overall
    55% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 25, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs1:38:29–1:39:391m 10slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs19:25–24:595m 34slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1026h — roll call; Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor8:15:08–8:20:014m 53slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1026h — adopted, division 176-145; Amendment # 2026-1026h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human ServicesWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 7
  2. Feb 23, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/23/2026 09:00 am GP 158
  3. Feb 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/25/2026 09:30 am GP 158
  4. Mar 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2026 09:00 am GP 158
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1026h 03/04/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 49
  6. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1026h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 183
  8. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1026h: MA DV 176-145 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 183
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 7
  10. Apr 1, 2026SenHearing: 04/01/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:00 am; SC 12
  11. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 14A
  12. Apr 16, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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