HB 241-FN (2026): relative to health insurance coverage of pain management services for the management of chronic pain.

HB 241-FN (2026)

relative to health insurance coverage of pain management services for the management of chronic pain.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Public and Mental Health
• Chapter law: 282

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The House withdrew that referral and sent the bill to the Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee instead. The committee held a public hearing on January 23, 2025, with 10 people signed in online: 9 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee held a work session on March 4, 2025. The committee met in executive session on March 5, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held work sessions on September 10, 2025 and October 8, 2025. The committee met in executive session on October 28, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2990h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2990h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On January 7, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held work sessions on February 9, 2026 and February 20, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 17, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 26, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 26, 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 with changes (amendment 2026-1622s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1622s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1622s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. John Hunt. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2164e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 10, 2026, making it Chapter 282 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. David Nagel (D - Belk 6) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Tom Dolan (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. David Lundgren (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. William Palmer (D - Sull 2)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 23, 2025, 1:45 PM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• March 4, 2025, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 104
• March 5, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, LOB 302-304
• September 10, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• October 8, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• October 28, 2025, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• February 9, 2026, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 234
• February 20, 2026, 11:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 17, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 8, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2990h — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1622s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1622s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 420-J

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 51, page 3
• HJ 1, pages 43 and 44
• HJ 9, page 2
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 2
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 45 and 56
• SJ 15
• House Calendar 12, 2026, committee report