SB 480-FN (2026): limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services.

SB 480-FN (2026)

limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services.

• Status: Killed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Insurance

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 28, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0838s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0838s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 5, 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 12, 2026 and was referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 15, 2026, with 44 people signed in online: 44 in support. The committee held a work session on April 22, 2026. The committee met in executive session on April 29, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 15–0, to recommend that the House kill it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to kill it on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 28, 2026, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• March 5, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 15, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 22, 2026, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 29, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0838s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 420-J

Related Bills

• HB 1323-FN (2026): relative to parental alienation, limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services, relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.
• HB 1323-FN (2026): relative to parental alienation, limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services, relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SC 8
• SJ 5
• HJ 8, page 114
• HC 19, page 6
• HJ 13, page 2