HB 1286 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
11Mar2026... 0914h
2026 SESSION
26-2796
05/09
HOUSE BILL 1286
AN ACT relative to the practice of dentistry and when radiographic examinations are required.
SPONSORS: Rep. Drago, Rock. 4; Rep. DeVito, Rock. 8; Rep. Harvey-Bolia, Belk. 3; Rep. Peternel, Carr. 6; Rep. Pauer, Hills. 36; Rep. Tom Mannion, Hills. 1; Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Litchfield, Rock. 32
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
-----------------------------------------------------------------
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill provides that a dentist may treat a patient who declines to have a radiographic examination and the dentist in such cases shall require the patient to sign a waiver of liability.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
11Mar2026... 0914h 26-2796
05/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the practice of dentistry and when radiographic examinations are required.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Practice of Dentistry; X-Rays; When Required. Amend RSA 317-A:17 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
II-a. Notwithstanding RSA 317-A:17, II(j), a dentist may treat a patient who has declined to have a radiographic examination. In such cases, the dentist shall require the patient to sign a waiver of liability, indicating that the patient waives the right to sue the dentist in the event that the lack of a radiographic examination results in unforeseen injury to the patient. No dentist shall be subject to license suspension, revocation, or any other disciplinary action by the board for actions taken pursuant to this paragraph.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | 2026-0914h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 22, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| March 3, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| March 3, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| April 1, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
March 25, 2026: Hearing: 04/01/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 12
March 17, 2026: Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 7
March 11, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0914h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7
March 11, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0914h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7
March 4, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0914h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 14-2; CC) HC 10 P. 19
Feb. 27, 2026: Executive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
Jan. 14, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/22/2026 11:00 am GP 153
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 14