HB 621-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0658
05/11
HOUSE BILL 621-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Bolton, Graf. 8; Rep. Lynn, Rock. 17; Rep. M. Smith, Straf. 10; Rep. Lovett, Graf. 8; Rep. Fellows, Graf. 8; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill allows the birth mother to opt out of sharing certain information from the birth worksheet with state agencies. The bill also directs the department of health and human services and the division of vital records to update the memorandum of understanding regarding information sharing to reflect this practice.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0658
05/11
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Birth Worksheet for Hospital or Institutional Birth; Opportunity to Limit Disclosure of Personal Information. Amend RSA 5-C:19 by inserting after paragraph XI the following new paragraph:
XII. The birth mother shall receive written notice that information from the birth worksheet is shared with the department of health and human services and other state agencies. The notice shall describe the purposes for which such information is shared and shall give the birth mother the opportunity to limit disclosure to the minimum amount necessary for vital records and public health. If the birth mother elects to limit disclosure of personal information from the birth worksheet, her election shall be recorded in the medical record at the hospital and all personal identifiers shall be redacted before the minimum amount of statistical information is shared with the department of health and human services.
2 Bureau of Health Statistics and Data Management and Vital Records Privacy Board for Health-Related Research. Amend RSA 126:24-cc to read as follows:
126:24-cc Memorandum of Understanding. The commissioner and secretary of state shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to address the role of each agency in maintaining the state's vital records system. The memorandum shall facilitate a working relationship between the 2 agencies in meeting their respective responsibilities under this chapter and RSA 5-C. The memorandum shall be reviewed annually and may be modified at the request of either agency. On or before November 1, 2026, the agencies shall amend the memorandum of understanding to ensure that the minimum amount of personal information from birth worksheets is shared by the agencies and that the notice and consent requirements described in RSA 5-C:19, XII are implemented.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
25-0658
1/8/25
HB 621-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to complete a fiscal note for this bill as it is awaiting information from the Department of State and Department of Health and Human Services. The Departments were contacted on 12/16/24 for a fiscal note worksheet. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Departments of State and Health and Human Services
Jan. 16, 2025: Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 3