SB 454-FN (2026): requiring the department of health and human services to update existing relevant public health outreach programs by incorporating information to aid public understanding and awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

SB 454-FN (2026)

requiring the department of health and human services to update existing relevant public health outreach programs by incorporating information to aid public understanding and awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

• 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: 125

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 unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0211s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0211s) was adopted on a voice vote on January 29, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 29, 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 February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2026, with 28 people signed in online: 27 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 15, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 14–4 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On May 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on May 14, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 5, 2026, making it Chapter 125 of the session laws. It took effect on August 4, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Rep. Erica Layon (R - Rock 13)
• Sen. Pat Long (D - SD20)
• Rep. Jennifer Mandelbaum (D - Rock 21)
• Rep. Mark Pearson (R - Rock 34)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 21, 2026, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 25, 2026, 11:00 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
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0211s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 126-A:5

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 2
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 124
• HC 18, page 13
• HJ 12, page 30
• SJ 13
• HJ 13, page 154