HB 551 (2004): relative to the effect of parental refusal to administer psychotropic drugs to their children and establishing a committee to study the prescription and use of psychotropic drugs, including Ritalin, in childcare centers, preschools, and public schools.

Cite this page

Granite Record indexes the General Court’s record; it is not that record. Where a citation allows only one source, cite the General Court — every page here links to what it is drawn from. The date below is the day the page was read.

MLA: “HB 551 (2004): relative to the effect of parental refusal to administer psychotropic drugs to their children and establishing a committee to study the prescription and use of psychotropic drugs, including Ritalin, in childcare centers, preschools, and public schools.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb551. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
APA: Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 551 (2004): relative to the effect of parental refusal to administer psychotropic drugs to their children and establishing a committee to study the prescription and use of psychotropic drugs, including Ritalin, in childcare centers, preschools, and public schools. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb551
Chicago: Granite Record. “HB 551 (2004): relative to the effect of parental refusal to administer psychotropic drugs to their children and establishing a committee to study the prescription and use of psychotropic drugs, including Ritalin, in childcare centers, preschools, and public schools.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb551.
BibTeX: @misc{bill-2004-hb551, title = {HB 551 (2004): relative to the effect of parental refusal to administer psychotropic drugs to their children and establishing a committee to study the prescription and use of psychotropic drugs, including Ritalin, in childcare centers, preschools, and public schools.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2004/hb551}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

HB 551 (2004)

relative to the effect of parental refusal to administer psychotropic drugs to their children and establishing a committee to study the prescription and use of psychotropic drugs, including Ritalin, in childcare centers, preschools, and public schools.

Status: Signed into law
Term: 2003-2004
House committee: Children and Family Law
Senate committee: Public Institutions, Health and Human Services
Subject: Children
Chapter law: 237

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2003 and referred to the House Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 12, 2003. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The majority of the committee recommended that the House pass it with changes unanimously, 17–0, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 7, 2004 the House voted to pass it with changes. It crossed to the Senate on January 29, 2004 and was referred to the Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 16, 2004. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 0974). The committee's amendment (0974) was adopted on a voice vote on April 1, 2004, changing the text of the bill. On April 1, 2004 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 1, 2004 the Senate voted to pass it. On April 22, 2004 the House voted to reject the other chamber's changes. On May 6, 2004 the Senate adopted “Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference”, on a motion by Sen. Martel. A committee of conference met on May 14, 2004 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On May 25, 2004 the Senate adopted “Conference Committee Report” on a voice vote. On May 25, 2004 the House adopted “Conf Comm Report” on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on May 25, 2004 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (1689) was adopted to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on June 15, 2004, making it Chapter 237 of the session laws. It took effect on June 15, 2004.

Hearings and Sessions

February 12, 2003, 2:00 PM: hearing, House Children and Family Law, RM206,LOB
March 16, 2004, 3:00 PM: hearing, Senate Public Institutions, Health and Human Services, SH 105-A
May 14, 2004, 1:00 PM: committee of conference, RM206,LOB

Votes

April 1, 2004, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment — voice vote, passed
May 25, 2004, Senate: Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
May 25, 2004, House: Conf Comm Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

January 9, 2003: Introduced and ref. to Child & Fmly
February 12, 2003: Hearing Feb 12 2:00 RM206,LOB
March 19, 2003: Retained in Committee
November 18, 2003: Maj Report OTP/AM for Jan 7, 2004 Session (Vote 17-0;CC)
November 18, 2003: Prop Comm Am{2524}(New Title)
January 7, 2004: Passed with Am
January 29, 2004: Introduced and Referred to Public Institutions, Health & Human Services
March 16, 2004: Hearing; March 16, 2004, Room 105-A, SH, 3:00 p.m.; SC9
March 30, 2004: Committee Report; Ought to Pass with Amendment{0974},(New Title), [04/01/04]; SC13A, Pg.5
April 1, 2004: Committee Amendment{0974},(New Title), AA, VV
April 1, 2004: Ought to Pass as Amended{0974},(New Title), MA, VV; OT3rdg
April 1, 2004: Passed by 3rd Reading Resolution
April 22, 2004: House Nonconc with Sen Am req Conf Comm, Rep Moran MA
April 22, 2004: (Speaker appts Reps: Itse, Arnold, McRae & Gile)
May 6, 2004: Senator Martel Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference; Adopted
May 6, 2004: President Appoints; Senators Martel, Boyce, Estabrook
May 14, 2004: Conf Comm Meeting May 14 1:00 RM206,LOB
May 19, 2004: Conference Committee Report; Sen. Am + New Am{1574}, Filed
May 25, 2004: Conference Committee Report{1574}, Adopted, VV
May 25, 2004: Conf Comm Report Adopted VV
May 25, 2004: Enrolled Bill Amendment{1689}(New Title), Adopted
May 25, 2004: Enrolled Am{1689}(New Title), Adopted <6/4/04>
May 25, 2004: Enrolled<6/9/04>
May 25, 2004: Enrolled
June 15, 2004: Signed by the Governor on 6/15/2004 Eff: 6/15/2004 Chap: 0237

Laws It Would Change

RSA 169-C:6