HB 1356-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
05/14/2026 1940s
2026 SESSION
26-3064
05/06
HOUSE BILL 1356-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Rep. Mazur, Hills. 44; Rep. Peternel, Carr. 6; Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. McGrath, Rock. 40; Rep. Ford, Rock. 3
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Extends the time period to file a claim for violation of the prohibition on medical procedures intended to change a minor's gender from 2 years to 10 years from the date the minor reaches the age of majority.
II. Permits the self-application of sunscreen by children in schools and camps without the requirement of a prescription or a licensed health care provider's note.
III. Authorizes specific school and camp personnel to apply sunscreen to a child with permission of the child's parent or guardian.
IV. Establishes a skin cancer prevention education program in public schools.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
05/14/2026 1940s 26-3064
05/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Prohibition on Medical Procedures and Treatments Intended to Alter a Minor's Gender; Private Right of Action; Statute of Limitations Extended. Amend RSA 332-N:3, II to read as follows:
II. An individual under 18 years of age may bring an action during their minority through a parent or next friend, or may bring an action in their own name upon reaching majority. A person shall bring a claim for a violation of this chapter no later than [2] 10 years after the minor aggrieved by violation of this chapter reaches the age of majority.
2 Findings and Purpose. With respect to sections 2-5 of this act, the general court finds that:
I. Many children are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to suboptimal sunscreen use and high rates of sunburning, and therefore at risk of excessive UV exposure which could lead to skin cancer development. It is a high priority to ensure that children can use sunscreen and sun-protective clothing when outdoors.
II. News outlets have reported that some schools do not allow children to bring or use sunscreen without a prescription due to “medication bans” and fears of legal ramifications.
III. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that school policies that prohibit hats or student possession of sunscreen can create barriers to the use of important sun protection methods.
IV. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends educating children, adolescents, and young adults on the dangers of sun exposure to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
V. It is in public interest that schools set policies that include education on sun exposure and encourage our youth to use sun protection, including sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
3 New Subdivision; Pupil Use of Sunscreen for Skin Cancer Prevention. Amend RSA 200 by inserting after section 47 the following new subdivision:
Pupil Use of Sunscreen for Skin Cancer Prevention
200:47-a Application.
I. A pupil may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while on school property or at a school-sponsored event or activity without a licensed health care provider’s note or prescription if the product is regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.
II. Any pupil who is unable to self-apply sunscreen in accordance with this section may have assistance provided in applying a topical sunscreen product. This assistance shall be provided by appropriate school personnel only with the permission of a pupil's parent or guardian.
III. School personnel shall not be held liable in a criminal action or for civil damages for application of a topical sunscreen product if the topical sunscreen product is available to and used by the pupil in accordance with this section.
IV. Each school shall allow for outdoor use articles of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats and sunglasses. Schools may set a policy related to the type of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats, and sunglasses that will be allowed to be used outdoors pursuant to paragraph IV. Specific clothing, hats and sunglasses, determined by school personnel to be inappropriate apparel may be prohibited by the dress code policy.
200:47-b Sun-Safe Education. All public schools may incorporate instruction in the common school grades utilizing existing, free resources on skin cancer prevention as approved by the state board of education. The instruction shall be provided in an age appropriate manner and shall include the following components:
I. The basic facts about skin cancer, including the negative impact of human exposure to ultraviolet radiation obtained through sunburns and indoor tanning; and
II. A comprehensive set of strategies and behaviors to reduce the risk of contracting skin cancer, including the use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing.
4 New Section; Possession and Use of Sunscreen at Recreation Camps. Amend RSA 170-E by inserting after section 62 the following new section:
170-E:62-a Possession and Use of Sunscreen at Recreation Camps.
I. A participant in a recreation camp may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while attending such camp without a licensed health care provider’s note or prescription if the product is regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.
II. Any participant in a recreation camp who is unable to self-apply sunscreen in accordance with this section may have assistance provided in applying a topical sunscreen product. This assistance shall be provided by appropriate recreation camp personnel only with the permission of a recreation camp participant's parent or guardian.
III. Recreation camp personnel shall not be held liable in a criminal action or for civil damages for application of a topical sunscreen product if the topical sunscreen product is available to and used by the recreation camp participant in accordance with this section.
IV. Each recreational camp shall allow for outdoor use articles of sun protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats and sunglasses. Recreational camps may set a policy related to the type of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats and sunglasses, that will be allowed to be used outdoors pursuant to paragraph IV. Specific clothing, hats, and sunglasses determined by recreational camp personnel to be inappropriate apparel may be prohibited by the dress code policy.
5 New Paragraph; Sun Safe Education Materials. Amend RSA 186:11 by inserting after paragraph XXXVII the following new paragraph:
XXXVIII. Sun-Safe Education. Approve of materials and resources for the instruction of sun-safe education in public schools pursuant to RSA 200:47-b.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-3064
5/18/26
HB 1356-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1940s)
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund | None | |||||
Expenditures* | Indeterminable | |||||
Funding Source | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
| ||||||
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill authorizes the application of sunscreen in schools without a licensed health care provider's note or prescription and establishes a skin cancer prevention education program. The Department of Education states this bill would have the following effects:
The cost, if any, for school districts to comply with this bill is indeterminable and will vary by district. The Department has identified the following areas, which may have an impact on district costs:
It is assumed that any administrative efforts related to the compilation, review, and approval process by the state board of education of sun-safe instructional materials and resources, would be absorbed in the Department’s normal operating budget.
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education, Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | 2026-1940s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 11, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 13, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 13, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| April 2, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| April 16, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
June 2, 2026: Conference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; SJ 14
May 26, 2026: Conference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 11:00 am GP 232
May 20, 2026: President Appoints: Senators Abbas, Gannon, Reardon; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 19, 2026: Conferee Change: Rep. Peternel Replaces Rep. Alexander 05/19/2026 HJ 13
May 20, 2026: Sen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 20, 2026: President Appoints: Senators Abbas, Gannon, Reardon; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 19, 2026: Conferee Change: Rep. Peternel Replaces Rep. Alexander 05/19/2026 HJ 13
May 20, 2026: Sen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 18, 2026: Speaker Appoints: Reps. Lynn, D. Mannion, Alexander Jr., Kuttab 05/14/2026 HJ 13
May 18, 2026: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1940s and Requests CofC (Rep. Lynn): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13
May 14, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1940s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
May 14, 2026: Sen. Ward Floor Amendment # 2026-1940s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
April 16, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 18
April 16, 2026: Special Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 04/16/2026 SJ 9
April 7, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 14
March 26, 2026: Hearing: 04/02/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 12
March 17, 2026: Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
March 12, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA RC 180-146 03/12/2026 HJ 8
March 12, 2026: Lay HB1356 on Table (Rep. Wade): MF RC 145-176 03/12/2026 HJ 8
Feb. 27, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
Feb. 27, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 57
Feb. 5, 2026: Executive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158
Feb. 5, 2026: Public Hearing: 02/11/2026 02:30 pm GP 230
Dec. 2, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 16