HB 1215 (2026): relative to supporting the preferred method of communication of an individual with a communication disability and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.

HB 1215 (2026)

relative to supporting the preferred method of communication of an individual with a communication disability and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.

• Status: Died: conferees could not agree
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Children and Family Law
• 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 Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 17, 2026, with 29 people signed in online: 28 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 14–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0942h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0942h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. 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 8, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it. A floor amendment (2026-1446s), offered by Sen. Kevin Avard, was adopted on a voice vote on April 16, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 16, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 16, 2026 the Senate adopted “Reconsider the following action taken by this Body: Rescind Order to Third Reading, Reconsider the Vote on Ought to Pass with Amendment and Reconsider the vote on Floor Amendment #2026-1446s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Denise Ricciardi. A floor amendment (2026-1446s), offered by Sen. Kevin Avard, was adopted again on a voice vote on April 16, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 16, 2026 the Senate again voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On April 23, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1446s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Debra DeSimone. On May 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. David Rochefort. A committee of conference met on May 26, 2026 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill.

Sponsors

• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Rep. Bill Boyd (R - Hills 12)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Wayne MacDonald (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. Jodi Newell (D - Ches 4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 17, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• March 2, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• March 11, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 8, 2026, 9:00 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• April 16, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 26, 2026, 10:00 AM: committee of conference, GP 231

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0942h — voice vote, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1446s — voice vote, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Reconsider the following action taken by this Body: Rescind Order to Third Reading, Reconsider the Vote on Ought to Pass with Amendment and Reconsider the vote on Floor Amendment #2026-1446s — voice vote, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1446s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1446s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 171-A
• RSA 151

Related Bills

• SB 613 (2026): relative to licensing requirements for health care facilities established within a 15 mile radius of a critical access hospital and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.
• SB 613 (2026): relative to licensing requirements for health care facilities established within a 15 mile radius of a critical access hospital and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 11
• HC 10, page 4
• HJ 7, page 2
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 14
• SJ 9
• HJ 11, page 84
• SJ 12
• HJ 13, page 152
• SJ 13
• SJ 14