NH
New Hampshire Senate Bill SB573

New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

New Hampshire Senate Bill SB573

Introduced
12/14/23  
Refer
12/14/23  
Report Pass
3/14/24  
Engrossed
4/2/24  
Refer
4/2/24  
Report Pass
4/24/24  
Enrolled
5/30/24  
Chaptered
6/20/24  

Caption

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.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NH HB614

Making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund the Merrimack, New Hampshire Kidney Cancer Incidence Phase 3 Feasibility study.

NH HB302

Relative to including education in the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the New Hampshire constitution for New Hampshire law enforcement.

NH SB152

Relative to New Hampshire workforce training programs.

NH SB202

Relative to establishing a homeownership innovations fund in the New Hampshire housing finance authority.

NH HB329

Establishing an ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) registry in New Hampshire.

NH SB108

Relative to participation of the New Hampshire public defender program in the state employee health insurance plan.

NH HB375

Relative to the licensure of nonresident aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire.

NH HB494

Relative to fees collected under the New Hampshire fertilizer law.

NH HB46

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.

NH HB487

Establishing a New Hampshire farm-to-school reimbursement program.

Similar Bills

NH SB411

Establishing a committee to study emergency mental health services for persons 21 years of age and younger in New Hampshire.

NH SB152

Relative to New Hampshire workforce training programs.

NH HB1218

Relative to the merger of Granite State college with the university of New Hampshire.

NH HB232

Adopting section 1910 OSHA standards for public sector employees in New Hampshire.

NH HB232

Adopting section 1910 OSHA standards for public sector employees in New Hampshire.

NH SB357

Relative to mental health training for first responders.

NH SB136

Establishing an uncompensated care assessment, fund, and committee within the department of insurance.

NH SB129

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.