Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1584 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Vaccine exemption and drug price notices

AI-generated

(Second New Title) directing the department of health and human services to provide notice of medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements and relative to notice of drug pricing options.

Requires the department of health and human services to notify families that medical and religious exemptions from childhood immunization requirements exist, and requires pharmacies to inform consumers of the lowest available prescription drug price.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 20, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill directs the department of health and human services to provide notice of medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements and provides that any written signed statement attesting to the religious objection shall be sufficient. The bill also directs the department to provide an annual compliance report to the legislature.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kelley PotenzaRPrime
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Also: Rep. Jim KofaltR

Public testimony

435 signed in online · 92 wrote testimony

41% support59% oppose0% neutral

ForEnsures transparency and informed consent about exemptions

AgainstWould increase exemption rates and disease outbreak risk

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Religious freedom and bodily autonomy are the very foundations of liberty. They must be protected and annunciated in every interaction government has with citizens.”
— Oliver Renau, Nashuasupports
“No one should be required to have a vaccine mandated by the government.Especially after the covid debacle that mandated in extremely deleterious bioweapon against the people”
— Theresa Schmidt, Newburysupports
“Vaccination should be done only with informed consent. Any coersion violates our right to be safe in our bodies, guaranteed by US Constitution.…”
— Marina Zlatin, Portsmouthsupports
“My name is Dr. Christine Arsnow. I am a primary care pediatrician and president of the NH Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The NHAAP opposes HB 1584. This bill is not necessary.…”
— Christine Arsnow, New London · New Hampshire Chapter American Academy of Pediatricsopposes
“As with HB1719, please do not weaken the state of vaccinations in NH. The surrounding controversy of vaccinations is a manufactured news piece.…”
— michael derhammer, portsmouthopposes
“This bill puts public health in danger by loosening regulations on required immunizations. More unvaccinated citizens equals more disease and death for our population. Why is this effort to regress to more deadly times even happening? Makes no sense”
— Evelyn Hagan, Bethlehemopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-149:00 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-01-282:00 pmHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-04-021:00 pmSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 27
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 09:30 am GP 158
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0324h 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 6 P. 14
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0324h: AA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 29
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0324h: MA RC 197-163 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 29
  8. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 31
  9. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 62
  10. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 4
  11. Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 12
  12. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1427s, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 14A
  13. Apr 16, 2026SenHB 1584 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  14. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 04/16/2026 SJ 9
  15. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1427s, 05/14/2026, Vote 4-0; SC 18
  16. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1427s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  17. May 14, 2026SenSen. Reardon Floor Amendment # 2026-1960s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  18. May 14, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-1959s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  19. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1427s and #2026-1960s and #2026-1959s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  20. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1427s 2026-1959s and 2026-1960s and Requests CofC (Rep. W. MacDonald): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 151
  21. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. W. MacDonald, Weyler, Drew, Markell 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 151
  22. May 14, 2026SenSen. Rochefort Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  23. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Rochefort, Birdsell, Reardon; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  24. May 27, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
  25. May 27, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Abbas Replaces Senator Rochefort; SJ 14
  26. May 28, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Carson Replaces Senator Reardon; SJ 14
  27. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2089c; 06/04/2026
  28. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2089c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  29. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2089c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  30. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2178e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  31. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2178e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  32. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  33. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  34. Jul 15, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 328; eff. I. Sec I eff 10/13/2026 II. Rem eff 01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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