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HB 1761 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Expanding paid family medical leave

AI-generated

expanding the New Hampshire paid family and medical leave program.

Expands the existing granite state paid family leave plan into a new publicly administered family and medical leave insurance program.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · February 17, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill expands on the existing granite state paid family leave plan with a new publicly administered family and medical leave insurance (FMLI) program.

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

“"Alternative base period" means the last 4 completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of the individual's application year and any weeks in which wages were paid to the individual in the incomplete calendar quarter in which the individual filed a claim for benefits.”
RSA 21-I:111-a
“The first payment must be made within 4 weeks after the claim is filed or within 4 weeks of the first day of the approved claim, whichever is later, and subsequent payments shall be made at intervals established by rule.”
RSA 21-I:111-c
“The portion of the covered individual's average weekly wage that is equal to or less than 30 percent of the statewide average weekly wage shall be replaced at a rate of 90 percent.”
RSA 21-I:111-d
“Payroll contributions shall be authorized and used exclusively to finance benefits and administration of the family and medical leave insurance program.”
RSA 21-I:111-e

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Paige BeaucheminDPrime
  • Rep. Jennifer MandelbaumDClerk· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Rep. Samantha JacobsD, Rep. Toni WeinsteinD, Rep. Eleana ColbyD, Rep. Janet LucasD

Public testimony

58 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony

93% support7% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I believe a system of periodically instructing teachers and public school staff on how to identify and seek help for a student or colleague at risk for suicide is a process worth investing in. Francis Hayes, MD ret.”
— Francis Hayes, Canterburysupports
“Strong family and medical leave programs are defining features of many wealthy nations around the world. The United States and New Hampshire would do well to invest in its people and allow them to take care of themselves and their families when the need arises.”
— Tara Higgins, Hanoversupports
“I strongly support this bill to expand New Hampshire paid family and medical leave program. This bill is critical to help sustaining our workforce in health care in New Hampshire.…”
— Ilana Cass, Lebanonsupports
“Thank you for the opportunity to testify on HB 1761, expanding the NH paid family & medical leave program. This testimony is from the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy.…”
— Drew Cline, Bedford · Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policyopposes
“Every future year this bill would cost an additional $5.662 million. NO THANKS.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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
  • Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs2:05:29–2:06:371m 8slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — 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 Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 34
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 11:15 am GP 229
  3. Jan 22, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 01/22/2026 02:15 pm GP 229
  4. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  5. Feb 4, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 02/04/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 7 P. 6
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 7

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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