New Hampshire HB 392: directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services' office ofhealth access and the department of environmental services' functions for environmental justice.

Bill Text

HB 392-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

8Jan2026... 0026h

2025 SESSION

 25-0058

 09/08

HOUSE BILL 392-FN

AN ACT directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services' office of health access and the department of environmental services' functions for environmental justice.

SPONSORS: Rep. Belcher, Carr. 4; Rep. Corcoran, Hills. 28; Rep. Alexander Jr., Hills. 29; Rep. Turcotte, Straf. 4; Rep. Sabourin, Rock. 30; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7; Rep. Warden, Hills. 39

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill directs the dissolution of the department of health and human services' office of health access and the department of environmental services' functions for environmental justice, and requires certain programs administered by the office of health access to be transferred to other divisions or offices.

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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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

8Jan2026... 0026h 25-0058

 09/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services' office of health access and the department of environmental services' functions for environmental justice.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Directive; Department of Health and Human Services; Office of Health Access. The department of health and human services is hereby directed to dissolve the office currently known as the office of health access (formerly the office of health equity), and is prohibited from using any allocated moneys for any project labeled as "health equity." Notwithstanding the dissolution required by this section, the following functions shall be transferred to other appropriate divisions or offices within the department and shall be preserved: 

 I. Provision of language access services and accommodations for individuals with disabilities, limited English proficiency, or sensory impairments, as required for compliance with federal civil rights laws.

 II. Neutral community engagement to identify barriers to health services, provided no such engagement occurs on the basis of any category or process prohibited elsewhere by law.

 III. Any other service required for compliance with federal laws.

 IV. Any program strictly tailored to improving health access in rural areas.

 2 Directive; Department of Environmental Services; Environmental Justice Programs. The department of environmental services is hereby prohibited from the use of any allocated moneys for those projects labeled "environmental justice." 

 3 Compensation of Certain State Officers; Salaries Established; Position Deleted. Amend RSA 94:1-a, I(b) by deleting the following: 

 FF Department of health and human services director of the office of health equity

 4 Repeal. RSA 126-A:88, I(hh), relative to the director of the office of health equity membership on the state health assessment and state health improvement plan advisory council, is repealed.

 5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

 LBA

 25-0058

 1/2/25

HB 392-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services' office of health equity, department of environmental services' functions for civil rights and environmental justice, and the governor's council on diversity and inclusion. 

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

 Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Revenue Fund(s)

None

 Expenditures*

$0

$100,000 decrease in general funds; Indeterminable decrease in federal funds 

$100,000 decrease in general funds; Indeterminable decrease in federal funds

$100,000 decrease in general funds; Indeterminable decrease in federal funds

 Funding Source(s)

General Fund, Federal 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 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to dissolve the Office of Health Equity, and deletes that Office's unclassified director from state statute. In addition, the bill prevents the Department from using funds from any project identified as "health equity," and prevents the Department of Environmental Services from using funds for any project labeled "civil rights and environmental justice." The Department of Health and Human Services states that salary and benefits for the director of he