New Hampshire House Bill HB1244

New Hampshire 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/18/21
• Refer: 11/18/21
• Report Pass: 3/9/22
• Engrossed: 3/22/22
• Refer: 3/22/22
• Report Pass: 4/26/22
• Enrolled: 5/18/22
• Chaptered: 6/1/22
• Passed: 6/1/22

Caption

Relative to parental consent to medical and dental treatments of children in schools.

Impact

The enactment of HB 1244 is expected to amend existing statutes regarding the administration of medical and dental treatments in schools, specifically under the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated. The modifications will necessitate that school health services comply with this new consent requirement, thus formally integrating parental involvement into a child’s health care process at school. Such a requirement could enhance communication between parents and schools about students' health needs.

Summary

House Bill 1244 pertains to the requirement of parental consent for medical and dental treatments provided in school settings. The bill mandates that explicit written consent must be obtained from a child's parent or legal guardian before any medical or dental services can be administered at school. This legislative change is aimed at ensuring that parents have complete control and oversight over their children's health care decisions while at school.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding this bill is the potential burden it may place on schools in managing consent requests and maintaining compliance with this requirement. Critics argue that it might delay necessary medical attention for children who need immediate care while at school. Proponents, however, emphasize the importance of parental consent as a fundamental right, asserting that parents should be the primary decision-makers regarding their child’s medical and dental care. This tension between the need for swift medical interventions and parental oversight will likely fuel ongoing debates as the bill progresses.