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HB 1215 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Communication access rights and ER transfers

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to supporting the preferred method of communication of an individual with a communication disability and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.

Establishes protections for the preferred communication method of individuals with communication disabilities in state service settings and sets standards, including a ban on coercive practices, governing patient transfers from freestanding emergency facilities to acute care hospitals.AI-generated

Status

Died — conference committee did not agree · June 2, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Supports the right of individuals with communication disabilities to use their preferred method of communication within the state service delivery system, including in residential settings and schools and with other service providers. II. Establishes standards governing the transfer of patients from freestanding hospital emergency facilities to acute care hospitals to ensure that such transfers are based primarily on clinical appropriateness, patient safety, continuity of care, and patient choice. III. Bans coercive or exclusive transfer practices, reinforces EMTALA requirements, and gives the state authority to enforce violations.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“An individual with a communication disability who is receiving services under this chapter shall have the right to select and utilize their preferred method of communication that enables such individual to independently express their own thoughts and wishes.”
RSA 171-A:4-a
““Freestanding hospital emergency facility” or “FHEF” means a facility licensed under this chapter that is geographically separate from an acute care hospital and provides emergency medical services on behalf of, or in affiliation with, a parent hospital.”
RSA 151:54
“When a transfer from a freestanding hospital emergency facility to an acute care hospital is medically necessary, the facility shall ensure that transfer decisions are based primarily on clinical appropriateness, patient safety, continuity of care, and patient choice.”
RSA 151:55
“No freestanding hospital emergency facility, nor any entity owning or operating such facility, shall:”
RSA 151:56

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jim KofaltRPrime
  • Rep. Bill BoydRClerk· Public Works and Highways
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Wayne MacDonaldRChair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRVice Chair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate

Also: Rep. Jodi NewellD

Public testimony

29 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

97% support3% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Please support this common sense bill. No one should ever be held back from communicating via the method that works best for them.…”
— Jan Peightell, Candiasupports
“I am writing in strong support of HB 1215, which affirms the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to access and use the communication method that works for them.…”
— Beth Frede, Newmarketsupports
“I support allowing disabled persons the ability to commute in the way of their choice.”
— RUTH PAUL, DERRYsupports

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 2, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0942h (NT)14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0942hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0942hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Avard Floor Amendment # 2026-1446sadopted
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1446sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Ricciardi Moved to Reconsider the following action taken by this Body: Rescind Order to Third Reading, Reconsider the Vote on Ought to Pass with Amendment and Reconsider the vote on Floor Amendment #2026-1446sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Apr 23, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1446s and Requests CofC (Rep. DeSimone)adopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Rochefort Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law1:33:03–1:34:131m 10slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law25:30–29:063m 36slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0942h (NT); Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0942h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0942h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services12:03–14:382m 35slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:10:49–1:14:023m 13slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1446s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Ricciardi Moved to Reconsider the following action taken by this Body: Rescind Order to Third Reading, Reconsider the Vote on Ought to Pass with Amendment and Reconsider the vote on Floor Amendment #2026-1446s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1446s and Requests CofC (Rep. DeSimone) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. DeSimone, W. MacDonald, Korzen, Rice
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSen. Rochefort Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — adopted, voice vote; President Appoints: Senators Rochefort, Birdsell, Prentiss; (In Recess

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 Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 11
  2. Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 11:00 am GP 230
  3. Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/02/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  4. Mar 2, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0942h (NT) 03/02/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 10 P. 4
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0942h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 2
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0942h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 2
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 7
  8. Apr 8, 2026SenHearing: 04/08/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:00 am; SC 13
  9. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026, Vote 4-0; SC 14
  10. Apr 16, 2026SenSen. Avard Floor Amendment # 2026-1446s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  11. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1446s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  12. Apr 16, 2026SenSen. Ricciardi Moved to Reconsider the following action taken by this Body: Rescind Order to Third Reading, Reconsider the Vote on Ought to Pass with Amendment and Reconsider the vote on Floor Amendment #2026-1446s, MA VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  13. Apr 16, 2026SenSen. Avard Floor Amendment # 2026-1446s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  14. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1446s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  15. Apr 23, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1446s and Requests CofC (Rep. DeSimone): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
  16. Apr 23, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. DeSimone, W. MacDonald, Korzen, Rice 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
  17. May 7, 2026SenSen. Rochefort Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  18. May 7, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Rochefort, Birdsell, Prentiss; (In Recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  19. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  20. May 20, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Drew Replaces Rep. Korzen 05/20/2026 HJ 13 P. 152
  21. May 21, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Avard Replaces Senator Birdsell; SJ 13
  22. Jun 2, 2026SenConference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; SJ 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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