Revision: Feb. 25, 2026, 8:47 a.m.
Rep. Caplan, Merr. 8
Rep. Parshall, Ches. 8
February 17, 2026
2026-0751h
07/09
Amendment to HB 1685
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT establishing a commission to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.
Amend the bill by replacing sections 1 and 2 with the following:
1 New Section; The State and Its Government; Department of Information Technology; Assistive Technology Commission. Amend RSA 21-R by inserting after section 9-a the following new section:
21-R:9-b Assistive Technology Commission.
I. There is established a commission to aid the growth of assistive technology businesses and speed the adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, II, the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) A user of assistive technology, appointed by the governor.
(b) A parent of a user of assistive technology with no relationship to the member under subparagraph (a), appointed by the governor.
(c) One representative from the department of education, appointed by the commissioner of the department of education.
(d) One representative from the bureau of vocational rehabilitation, appointed by the commissioner of the bureau of vocational rehabilitation.
(e) One representative from the bureau of developmental services, appointed by the commissioner of the department of health and human services.
(f) One representative from an assistive technology non-profit group in New Hampshire, appointed by the governor.
(g) One representative from a disability non-profit organization, appointed by the governor.
(h) One representative from the New Hampshire house committee on health, human services and elderly affairs, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(i) One representative from the senate committee on health and human services, appointed by the president of the senate.
(j) One representative from an assistive technology or medical technology business located in New Hampshire, appointed by the governor.
(k) One representative from the department of business and economic affairs, appointed by the commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs.
(l) One representative of a veteran’s organization, appointed by the governor.
III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Study and identify appropriate benchmarks for the increased implementation of assistive technologies for the use of New Hampshire residents in need of the same.
(b) Study and identify appropriate measures for attracting assistive technology businesses to New Hampshire.
(c) Conduct other activities as deemed necessary by the commission, including the formation of subcommittees and naming any appropriate new members to form the same.
V. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held on September 1, 2026. The commission shall meet every 90 days, and hold a final meeting on September 30, 2027. Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house committee on health, human services and elderly affairs, the senate committee on health and human services, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before October 1, 2027.
2 Repeal. RSA 21-R:9-b, relative to the assistive technology commission, is repealed.
2026-0751h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study aiding the growth of assistive technology businesses and adoption of assistive technologies in New Hampshire.