HB 358 (2025): relative to exemption from immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief.

HB 358 (2025)

relative to exemption from immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Public and Mental Health

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 5, 2025, with 1,036 people signed in online: 161 in support and 875 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 5, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 27, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a roll call 206–169. It crossed to the Senate on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 9, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1753s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1753s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 8, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 8, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On June 12, 2025 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1753s” on a roll call 194–153, on a motion by Rep. Wayne MacDonald. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor vetoed it on July 15, 2025. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On December 17, 2025 the House voted 176–175 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Erica Layon (R - Rock 13)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. Barbara Comtois (R - Belk 7)
• Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D - Hills 33)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Sayra DeVito (R - Rock 8)
• Rep. Robert Wherry (R - Hills 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• March 5, 2025, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 201
• March 5, 2025, 11:30 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 201
• March 27, 2025: floor debate, House
• April 9, 2025, 10:30 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• May 8, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• June 12, 2025: floor debate, House
• December 17, 2025: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 27, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 206, nays 169, passed
• May 8, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1753s — voice vote, passed
• June 12, 2025, House: Concur — yeas 194, nays 153, passed
• December 17, 2025, House: Veto Override — yeas 176, nays 175, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 141-C:20-c

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 17, page 57
• SC 16
• SC 20
• This page’s data as JSON