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HB 1653 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Patient transfer rights at ER facilities

AI-generated

relative to emergency medical care provided at freestanding hospital emergency facilities.

Regulates transfer policies at freestanding hospital emergency facilities, providing that patients receiving emergency medical care may transfer to the acute care hospital of their choice rather than only the facility's owner or operator.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill regulates transfer policies at freestanding hospital emergency facilities (FHEFs). The bill provides that patients receiving emergency medical care at FHEFs shall have the option to transfer to the acute care hospital of their choice and shall not be limited solely to the facility that owns or operates the FHEF.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Laura TelerskiDPrimeDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Rep. Bill OhmRClerk· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Vanessa SheehanRVice Chair· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Daniel VeilleuxDDeputy Ranking Member· Transportation
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRVice Chair· Health and Human Services

Also: Rep. Tim HartnettD, Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Manoj ChourasiaD, Rep. Megan MurrayD, Rep. Suzanne VailD

Public testimony

6 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-219:30 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-01-282:00 pmHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 30
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
  3. Jan 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 9 P. 41
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseLay HB1653 on Table (Rep. W. MacDonald): MA DV 173-158 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 116

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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