Establishing a committee to study consent and confidentiality laws applicable to adolescent and young adult health care in New Hampshire.
Impact
The committee established under SB573 will consist of members from both the Senate and House of Representatives, tasked with reviewing current health care consent laws and confidentiality protections for minors. This thorough review allows for a re-evaluation of existing laws to ensure they meet the evolving healthcare needs of adolescents and young adults. A report containing findings and possible recommendations for new legislation must be submitted by November 1, 2024. The impact of these findings could lead to significant changes in how minors access health care services.
Summary
Senate Bill 573 establishes a committee dedicated to studying the consent and confidentiality laws that pertain to adolescent and young adult health care in New Hampshire. The bill aims to address current gaps in legislation regarding when parental consent is required for minors seeking medical care. Some rights of minors under existing health care laws may not be adequately covered, which raises concerns about their access to necessary services without parental oversight.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding SB573 is the balance between parental rights in health care decision-making and the autonomy of minors. Critics may argue that requiring parental consent could hinder young people's ability to seek necessary medical treatment, particularly in sensitive matters such as mental health or reproductive health care. Conversely, supporters of the bill might emphasize the importance of parental involvement in health-related decisions, seeking to protect minors from making uninformed choices without guidance.
Making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund the Merrimack, New Hampshire Kidney Cancer Incidence Phase 3 Feasibility study.
Relative to including education in the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the New Hampshire constitution for New Hampshire law enforcement.
Establishing a committee to study replacement of bail commissioners with court magistrates and relative to delinquent payment of accounts by on premises and off premises licensees and relative to electronic payments to employee debit cards.
Relative to establishing an uncompensated health care fund to be administered by the department of insurance and assessed by a surcharge on commercial insurers, reinsurers, and trusts overseeing self-insured plans.