HB 1071 (2026): repealing immunity afforded health care facilities when following directives adopted in response to the COVID-19 state of emergency.

HB 1071 (2026)

repealing immunity afforded health care facilities when following directives adopted in response to the COVID-19 state of emergency.

• Status: Killed
• 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 7, 2026 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 24, 2026, with 103 people signed in online: 88 in support and 15 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 4, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1006h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1006h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House failed “Lay HB1071 on Table” on a division vote 148–171, on a motion by Rep. Paige Beauchemin. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 183–146. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 16, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate kill it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to kill it on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Rep. Tom Mannion (R - Hills 1) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Aidan Ankarberg (I - Straf 7)
• Rep. Susan DeRoy (R - Straf 3)
• Rep. Matt Drew (R - Hills 19)
• Rep. Linda McGrath (R - Rock 40)
• Rep. Kristine Perez (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. Jeffrey Tenczar (R - Hills 1)
• Rep. Robert Wherry (R - Hills 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 24, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• March 4, 2026, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 16, 2026, 1:15 PM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• May 14, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Lay HB1071 on Table — yeas 148, nays 171, failed
• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1006h — yeas 183, nays 146, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Inexpedient to Legislate — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 21-P:42-a

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 5
• HC 10, page 49
• HJ 7, page 182
• SJ 7
• SC 14
• SC 18
• SJ 12