SB 118-FN (2025): relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes; making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility staff; establishing the Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility capital investment fund; and permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.

SB 118-FN (2025)

relative to the personal needs allowance of residents of nursing homes; making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility staff; establishing the Hampstead hospital and residential treatment facility capital investment fund; and permitting qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Public and Mental Health
• Chapter law: 295

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 19, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0529s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0529s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 6, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 6, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0941s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0941s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 20, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 20, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 9, 2025, with 7 people signed in online: 7 in support. The committee met in executive session on April 30, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1871h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1871h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 8, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 8, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 8, 2025 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on May 20, 2025. The committee met in executive session on May 22, 2025 and May 28, 2025. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2345h), by a vote of 18–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee minority's amendment (2025-2345h) was rejected on a division vote 103–215 on June 5, 2025. On June 5, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On June 5, 2025 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. David Rochefort. On June 5, 2025 the House adopted “House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jim Kofalt. The Senate adopted the conference report (2025-2847c) on a voice vote. On June 26, 2025 the House adopted the conference report (2025-2847c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on August 1, 2025, making it Chapter 295 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Rep. Lucy Weber (D - Ches 5)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Rep. Wayne MacDonald (R - Rock 16)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 19, 2025, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• March 6, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• March 20, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• April 9, 2025, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 301-303
• April 30, 2025, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 205-207
• May 8, 2025: consent calendar, House
• May 20, 2025, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• May 22, 2025, 3:00 PM: executive session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• May 28, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, House
• June 16, 2025, 11:00 AM: committee of conference, SH 103
• June 18, 2025, 12:00 PM: committee of conference, SH 100

Votes

• March 6, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0529s — voice vote, passed
• March 20, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0941s — voice vote, passed
• May 8, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-1871h — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 103, nays 215, failed
• June 5, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, House: House Accedes to Senate Request for CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 24, 2025, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 167:27-a
• RSA 126-A:5
• RSA 6:12

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 10
• SC 11
• SC 13
• HC 23, page 8
• HC 27, page 21