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HB 1219 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Foster care vaccines and Medicare savings

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to immunization requirements in foster family homes and relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program.

As amended, this bill caps immunization requirements for adults in foster homes at the level set by existing public health law, removes the resource limit for the Medicare savings program, and makes the Medicare Part D low income subsidy available to residents, subject to federal approval.AI-generated

Status

Became law without signature · July 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Provides that vaccination requirements for adults residing in foster homes shall not exceed the vaccination requirements of RSA 141-C:20-a, either in type of vaccination, quality of doses, or authorization for exemption. II. Removes the resource limit for the Medicare savings program and, subject to CMS approval, makes the low income subsidy for Medicare Part D available to residents to assist with prescription drug costs.

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

“There shall be no vaccination or immunization requirements required of any children residing in a foster home that exceed vaccination or immunization requirements under RSA 141-C:20-a, either in type of vaccination, [or] quantity of doses, or exemptions.”
RSA 170-E:27-b
“The department shall administer the Medicare savings program as described in 42 U.S.C. section 1396a(a)(10)(E) in accordance with federal law and this section.”
RSA 167:4-g
“There shall be no vaccination or immunization requirements required of any adult residing in a foster home that exceed vaccination or immunization requirements under RSA 141-C:20-a, either in type of vaccination, quantity of doses, or exemptions. 279:2 Short Title.”
RSA 170-E:27-b
“Sections 2 and 3 of this act shall be known as "The Help for Low Income Seniors Act of 2026". 279:3 New Section;”
RSA 170-E:27-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Melissa LitchfieldRPrime
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip

Also: Rep. Laurence MinerR, Rep. Linda McGrathR, Rep. Matt DrewR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Yury PolozovR

Public testimony

549 signed in online · 103 wrote testimony

66% support34% oppose0% neutral

ForMedical freedom and bodily autonomy

AgainstVaccines are safe, effective, and evidence-based

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Allow people to be foster families & receive the same vaccination requirements and easy exemptions that are included in RSA 141-c:20-a.”
— Susan LaPointe, Eppingsupports
“Please SUPPORT HB 1219 to free medical choice regarding vaccines. There is enough testimony and concern over the long term effects of vaccines to prohibit mandates. Thank you, Marjorie Barton Northfield, NH”
— Marjorie Barton, Northfieldsupports
“Foster care is urgently needed not only in New Hampshire but all over the country. Passing HB1219 would result in more caring individuals and families to support children in need by unifying the vaccination requirements and exemptions.…”
— Nancy Louth, Hamptonsupports
“As a pediatrician I strongly oppose this bill. It will make our children and our communities less healthy and at risk for unnecessary infections.”
— Shelly Heit, Exeteropposes
“I am a nurse of many years, work in community health, public health, school health and infectious disease.These anti-vaccine bills are dangerous, which can lead to vaccine prevent preventable disease outbreaks, and in some cases can be fatal. Vaccines are safe and effective.…”
— Joline Manseau, Hollisopposes
“As a pediatrician with decades of experience, I have seen first-hand the devastating effects of almost every vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccines are the safest, most cost-effective way we have of protecting not just individuals but the health of the entire population.…”
— Gwendolyn Gladstone, Exeteropposes

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

  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs4:49:06–5:24:5435m 48slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor8:20:36–8:21:411m 5slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1094h — adopted, roll call 180-145; FLAM # 2026-1094h (Rep. Mazur) — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 16, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Servicesfrom 50:53located in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor9:25:15–9:30:315m 16slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1943s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Rosenwald Floor Amendment # 2026-1943s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:35:23–1:36:301m 7slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1943s (Rep. W. MacDonald) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 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, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 11
  2. Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 02/18/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 49
  5. Feb 25, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1094h (Rep. Mazur): AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 184
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1094h: MA RC 180-145 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 184
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 7
  9. Apr 16, 2026SenHearing: 04/16/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 14
  10. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 18
  11. May 14, 2026SenSen. Rosenwald Floor Amendment # 2026-1943s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  12. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1943s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  13. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1943s (Rep. W. MacDonald): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 11
  14. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  16. Jul 7, 2026HouseLaw Without Signature 07/07/2026; Chapter 279; eff. 9/5/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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