SB 610-FN (2026): allowing the insurance commissioner to approve innovative short or long-term care policies.

SB 610-FN (2026)

allowing the insurance commissioner to approve innovative short or long-term care policies.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Insurance
• Chapter law: 142

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 8, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0111s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on January 29, 2026. On January 29, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to the Next Session, Without Objection”. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0111s). The committee's amendment (2026-0111s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-0431s), offered by Sen. David Rochefort, was adopted on a voice vote on February 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 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 February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 1, 2026, with 14 people signed in online: 13 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on April 8, 2026 and April 14, 2026. The committee met in executive session on April 15, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 18–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1497h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1497h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 23, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On April 23, 2026 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). On May 7, 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 21, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 12, 2026, making it Chapter 142 of the session laws. It took effect on August 11, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Anita Burroughs (D - Carr 2)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Rep. Lisa Post (R - Hills 42)
• Rep. Carry Spier (D - Hills 6)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 8, 2026, 9:15 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• January 29, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• February 5, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• April 1, 2026, 2:15 PM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 8, 2026, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 14, 2026, 10:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• February 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-0111s and #2026-0431s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1497h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 415-D:5

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• SC 4
• HJ 5, page 127
• HJ 11, pages 4, 15 and 74
• SJ 11
• SJ 14
• HJ 14, page 34
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report