HB 1316 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee
Limits on state autism data collection
AI-generatedrestricting the collection and disclosure of autism-related data by state agencies.
Restricts state agencies under the governor's control, along with their contractors and vendors, from collecting or scraping personally identifiable autism-related data except for specific permitted purposes, and limits disclosure of such data outside state government.AI-generated
Status
Committee recommended Inexpedient to Legislate; died at adjournment · February 25, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill directs state agencies to ensure they are not collecting or using data scraping technology to gather autism-related data, unless such data collection practices comply with state and federal law and are limited to the specific purpose for which the data is gathered.
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
“"Agency" means any department, commission, board, institution, bureau, office, or other entity, by whatever name called, other than the legislative and judicial branches of state government, established in the state constitution, statute, session law, or executive order.”
“All agencies under the governor’s control shall work to ensure they are not collecting, or using data scraping technology to gather, autism-related data unless the collection fully complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and is strictly necessary for:”
“No agency shall disclose personally identifiable autism-related data to any entity outside the state of New Hampshire government unless:”
“Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to weaken or supersede any rights or protections guaranteed under federal and state law, including:”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
Also: Rep. Billie ButlerD, Rep. Alice WadeD
Public testimony
492 signed in online · 148 wrote testimony
91% support9% oppose0% neutral
ForAutistic people deserve the same privacy, dignity, and civil rights
AgainstUnspecified opposition
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“Persons with autism or on the spectrum need support from the government or eugenics will ensue!”
“Protect Autism Data Privacy in NH – Support SB 1316 ?? New Hampshire is considering SB 1316, a bill that protects the privacy of autistic people by safeguarding sensitive autism-related data.…”
“Testimony in Support of HB 1316 – Protecting the Privacy of Autistic Individuals My name is Seana Hallberg, and I am here in strong support of HB 1316. I wrote this bill because I am a parent, a clinician, and a disability advocate—and because protecting the privacy of autistic individuals is deeply personal to me.…”
“I strongly support this step to prevent the invasion of privacy for our autistic citizens.”
“This is an absolute violation of doctor-patient privilege. A person's diagnoses, whatever they may be, are between them and their doctor.…”
“As an OBGYN that is protecting the health of our pregnant mothers and their newborns, the importance of vaccines cannot be overstated.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–8Overall56% yea
Hearings and debates
- Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs5:45:48–5:57:3811m 50slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs5:44:05–5:48:454m 40slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 15
- Feb 4, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
- Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
- Feb 18, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 90
- Feb 25, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Background reading
Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.
Connecticut Office of Policy and Management — Describes a state autism advisory council's makeup and its role advising officials on services and policy.AI-generated
- About UsNH context
NH Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders — The council's own account of its statutory mission to coordinate autism-related health, education, and services in New Hampshire.AI-generated
Concord Monitor — An op-ed making the streamlining and accountability case that informs HB 1337's repeal of the council.AI-generated
- HB 1337 (2026)NH context
Citizens Count — A nonpartisan summary of the bill repealing the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders and its status.AI-generated
- Public PolicyCritics
Autism Society — An advocacy organization's view on the value of dedicated bodies and forums that shape autism services and policy.AI-generated
New Hampshire Family Voices — A family-support organization's description of the council's origins and work in the state.AI-generated
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.