SB 608-FN (2026): relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers.

SB 608-FN (2026)

relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Children and Family Law
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Insurance
• Chapter law: 109

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 14, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0210s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0210s) 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, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1050s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1050s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 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 Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 24, 2026, with 217 people signed in online: 216 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 31, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 15–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1263h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1263h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 9, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 9, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On April 9, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). On April 16, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. David Rochefort. 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 May 28, 2026, making it Chapter 109 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Rep. Kimberly Rice (R - Hills 38)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 19)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 14, 2026, 1:30 PM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 12, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 24, 2026, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• March 31, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 16, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0210s — voice vote, passed
• March 12, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1050s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1263h — voice vote, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 151-E
• RSA 161:2
• RSA 167:83

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• SC 9
• SJ 6
• HJ 8, page 114
• HJ 10, pages 16, 17 and 20
• SJ 9
• SJ 13
• HJ 13, page 147
• House Calendar 14, 2026, committee report