HB 1584-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
12Feb2026... 0324h
2026 SESSION
26-3239
05/08
HOUSE BILL 1584-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Rep. Mazur, Hills. 44
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill directs the department of health and human services to provide notice of medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements and provides that any written signed statement attesting to the religious objection shall be sufficient.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
12Feb2026... 0324h 26-3239
05/08
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 New Paragraph; Notice of Medical and Religious Exemptions. Amend RSA 141-C by inserting after section 20-f the following new section:
141-C:20-g Notice of Medical and Religious Exemptions.
I. Any communication, publication, posting, advertisement, website, social media post, printed material, or other location where the department of health and human services promotes vaccination or immunization shall prominently display, “MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW” in bold, clearly noticeable, starred print on the front or top portion of the material.
II. This notice shall be at least as prominent as the main headline or promotional text regarding the vaccination or immunization and shall not be placed solely in footnotes, disclaimers, or links.
III. The department of health and human services shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A to implement this section.
2 New Paragraph; Immunization Required for School Attendance; Grounds and Procedure for Exemption. Amend RSA 141-C:20-c, II to read as follows:
II. A parent or legal guardian objects to immunization because of religious beliefs. The parent or legal guardian shall sign a form stating that the child has not been immunized because of religious beliefs; provided however, the parent or legal guardian shall not be required to use or sign any specific form provided or posted by the department of health and human services and may instead provide any written signed statement attesting to the religious objection.
3 Penalty. Amend RSA 141-C:21 to read as follows:
141-C:21 Penalty.
I. Any person who shall violate, disobey, refuse, omit or neglect to comply with any of the provisions of RSA 141-C, or of the rules adopted pursuant to it, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if a natural person, or guilty of a felony if any other person.
II. Any officer, employee, or agent of the department of health and human services who authorizes, approves, or distributes promotional material regarding vaccination or immunization in violation of RSA 141-C:20-g shall be reported to the commissioner of the department of health and human services, who shall ensure appropriate disciplinary or corrective action under RSA 21-I and any applicable personnel rules.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 30 days after its passage.
26-3239
12/8/25
HB 1584-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) |
| |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $43,000 | $45,500 | $47,500 | ||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide notice of medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements. Instances of non-compliance will result in civil penalties not to exceed $1,000 per violation. The Department assumes it will need a part-time medical health services specialist to communicate the changes to providers and produce the annual compliance report required by the bill. The cost for this position is estimated to be $43,000 in FY27, $45,500 in FY28, and $47,500 in FY29. The Department notes that it is unclear what entity will be responsible for assessing the civil penalties established in the bill.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Feb. 2, 2026 | 2026-0324h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 14, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 28, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 28, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 13, 2026: Introduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 4
Feb. 12, 2026: Referred to Finance 02/12/2026 HJ 4
Feb. 12, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0324h: MA RC 197-163 02/12/2026 HJ 4
Feb. 12, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0324h: AA VV 02/12/2026 HJ 4
Feb. 3, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
Feb. 3, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0324h 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 6 P. 14
Jan. 21, 2026: Executive Session: 01/28/2026 02:30 pm GP 158
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/14/2026 09:30 am GP 158
Dec. 10, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs