SB 498-FN (2026): relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.

SB 498-FN (2026)

relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer 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 February 11, 2026. The committee voted 4–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 5, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it 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 Children and Family Law 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 April 16, 2026, with 230 people signed in online: 227 in support and 3 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on April 22, 2026 and April 28, 2026. The committee met in executive session on April 29, 2026 and May 6, 2026. The committee held a work session on May 6, 2026. The majority recommended that the House study it after the session ends, and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1757h), by a vote of 14–4. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to study it after the session ends on a division vote 188–164. On May 14, 2026 the House failed “Reconsider Interim Study” on a roll call 162–183, on a motion by Rep. Christine Seibert. The committee held work sessions on September 9, 2026 and October 7, 2026. The committee met in executive session on October 14, 2026 to vote on its recommendation.

Sponsors

• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19) (prime sponsor)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 11, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• March 5, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 16, 2026, 1:30 PM: 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 28, 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 6, 2026, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• May 6, 2026, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House
• September 9, 2026, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• October 7, 2026, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• October 14, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229

Votes

• March 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Refer for Interim Study — yeas 188, nays 164, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Reconsider — yeas 162, nays 183, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 135-F
• RSA 417-E:1

Related Bills

• HB 2-FN-A-LOCAL (2025): relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.
• 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.
• SB 128-FN (2025): 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 5
• SC 8
• SJ 5
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, pages 54 and 55
• HC 19, page 17
• HJ 13, pages 27 and 50
• This page’s data as JSON