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HB 1812 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Mental health insurance network reviews

AI-generated

requiring periodic evaluation of mental health access adequacy by an independent third party.

Establishes additional criteria for evaluating insurer network adequacy for primary and mental and behavioral health care, including periodic third-party evaluation, and creates administrative penalties and a private right of action for violations.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes additional criteria for assessment of an insurer's network adequacy for primary health care and mental and behavioral health care, including periodic evaluation of mental health access adequacy by a third party. The bill also establishes administrative penalties and a private right of action for violation of the requirements.

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

“A health carrier shall maintain a network that is sufficient in numbers, types, and geographic location of providers to ensure that all services to covered persons will be accessible without unreasonable delay.”
RSA 420-J:7
“The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A [for] to define a health carrier's network adequacy for primary care and mental and behavioral health care.”
RSA 420-J:7
“Standards for geographic accessibility, based on availability of in-person appointments within reasonable drive times not to exceed 30 minutes, which shall include standards for access to the provision of durable medical equipment requiring a prescription.”
RSA 420-J:7
“However, such standards shall not restrict an insurer's ability to provide prescriptions for durable medical equipment that are shipped to the patient by postal service or other common or private carrier, and shall not apply to durable medical equipment devices used exclusively for the administration of medication.”
RSA 420-J:7

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Alicia GreggDPrime
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law

Also: Rep. Efstathia BoorasD, Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

26 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

96% support4% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“AS a retired physician and member of the House Health and Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee and legislative appointee to the New Hampshire Commission on Aging, I support HB 1812 as a means of monitoring the availability of adequate provider networks in New Hampshire.…”
— Janet Lucas, Camptonsupports
“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
“As someone who has been a mental health counselor in New Hampshire for more than 15 years, I absolutely support this bill.”
— Stephanie Vazzano, Concordsupports
“The supposed "network adequacy criteria" is nothing more than a short list of measurement types (no quantification or required achievement) to fill in a report. Useless.”
— 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: Inexpedient to Legislate16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs1:05:09–1:06:171m 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: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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. 37
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 10:45 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: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 7 P. 6
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 8

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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