HB 1719-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2373
05/08
HOUSE BILL 1719-FN
AN ACT removing Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which immunization is required under state law.
SPONSORS: Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Barbour, Hills. 35; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3; Rep. Drago, Rock. 4; Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. McGrath, Rock. 40; Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Rep. Drew, Hills. 19; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill removes Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which childhood immunization is required.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2373
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT removing Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which immunization is required under state law.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Immunization Requirements; Hepatitis B Removed. Amend RSA 141-C:20-a, I to read as follows:
I. All parents or legal guardians shall have their children, who are residing in this state, immunized against diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, rubeola, tetanus, varicella, [Hepatitis B,] and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-2373
12/10/25
HB 1719-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT removing Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which immunization is required under state law.
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 | ($20,000) | ($82,000) | ($82,000) | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | Insurance assessment through the NH Vaccine Association | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $20,000 reduction in direct expenditures; see below for discussion of possible indirect costs | $82,000 reduction in direct expenditures; see below for discussion of possible indirect costs | $82,000 reduction in direct expenditures; see below for discussion of possible indirect costs | ||
Funding Source(s) | NH Vaccine Association assessment, potential general funds | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill removes Hepatitis B from the list of vaccines required for children in the state. The direct fiscal impact of the bill is in the form of reduced expenditures for vaccine purchases, estimated at $20,000 in FY27 (since some doses will have already been ordered prior to the effective date of the bill) and $82,000 in subsequent years. Such purchases are funded through an assessment on insurers through the NH Vaccine Association, and so the assessment would presumably decrease by the same amounts. The Department notes that some purchases would continue to occur, to be dispensed on a voluntary basis based on shared clinical decisions between physicians and their patient's parent or legal guardian.
For informational purposes, the Department states that there may be indirect costs resulting from investigations and emergency response activities should the lack of mandated vaccines for Hepatitis B result in increased outbreaks. The Department estimates a range of $100,000 to $350,000 per outbreak, and notes that multiple outbreaks per year are possible.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 14, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Jan. 28, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Jan. 28, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
Feb. 3, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
Feb. 3, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 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 10:30 am GP 158
Dec. 12, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1