New Hampshire HB 1719: removing Hepatitis B from the list of diseases for which immunization is required under state law.

Bill Text

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.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

 LBA

 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.

 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