Revision: Dec. 10, 2025, 9:58 a.m.
HB 1584-FN - AS INTRODUCED
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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. The bill also directs the department to provide an annual compliance report to the legislature.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
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 or distributes promotional material regarding vaccination or immunization without including the notice required under RSA 141-C:20-g shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation. Each separate communication or publication without the required notice shall constitute a separate violation. Civil penalties collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the general fund.
4 New Section; Annual Compliance Report. Amend RSA 141-C by inserting after section 21-a the following new section:
141-C:21-b Annual Compliance Report.
I. On or before December 31 of each year, the department of health and human services shall submit a written report to the chairpersons of the house and senate health and human services committees and the legislative oversight committee on health and human services.
II. The report shall list all promotional campaigns and materials produced or disseminated during the prior state fiscal year, indicate whether the required notice under RSA 141-C:20-g was included, and state any violations and civil penalties assessed under RSA 141-C:21, II.
III. The report shall be a public document and posted on the department’s website.
5 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.
|
| |||||
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