SB 441-FN (2026): relative to the financial responsibility for local assistance and enabling municipalities to request a hearing regarding the residency of an assisted person.

SB 441-FN (2026)

relative to the financial responsibility for local assistance and enabling municipalities to request a hearing regarding the residency of an assisted person.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• 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 Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 21, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0841s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on March 5, 2026. On March 5, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to 03/19/2026, Without Objection”. On March 12, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to 03/26/2026, Without Objection”. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0841s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0841s). The committee's amendment (2026-0841s) was rejected on a voice vote on March 26, 2026. A floor amendment (2026-1245s), offered by Sen. Victoria Sullivan, was adopted on a roll call 16–8 on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 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 26, 2026 and was referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2026, with 95 people signed in online: 1 in support and 94 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 15, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 17–1 to recommend that the House study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to study it after the session ends on a voice vote. The committee held a work session on September 23, 2026. The committee met in executive session on October 15, 2026 to vote on its recommendation.

Sponsors

• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. Steven Kesselring (R - Hills 18)
• Rep. Mark McLean (R - Hills 15)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Rep. Kathleen Paquette (R - Hills 25)
• Rep. Kimberly Rice (R - Hills 38)
• Rep. Mark Warden (R - Hills 39)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 21, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• March 5, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• March 26, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• April 8, 2026, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• April 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• April 23, 2026: consent calendar, House
• September 23, 2026, 11:30 AM: subcommittee work session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 230
• October 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 230

Votes

• March 26, 2026, Senate: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 16, nays 8, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1245s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Refer for Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 165
• RSA 126-A:84
• RSA 318-B:43

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 2
• SC 8
• SJ 5
• SJ 6
• SC 10
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, page 54
• HJ 11, page 10
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report