This bill mandates the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to prominently display information regarding medical and religious exemptions from immunization requirements in all promotional materials related to vaccinations. Specifically, it requires that any communication, publication, or advertisement must include a clear notice stating, “MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER NEW HAMPSHIRE LAW.” The notice must be as prominent as the main content and cannot be relegated to footnotes or disclaimers. Additionally, the bill allows parents or legal guardians to provide any written signed statement attesting to their religious objection to immunization, rather than being required to use a specific form provided by the DHHS.

The bill also introduces penalties for non-compliance with its provisions, classifying violations as misdemeanors for individuals and felonies for organizations. It specifies that any DHHS officer or employee who fails to comply with the new notice requirements will be subject to disciplinary action. The implementation of this bill is expected to incur costs, including the hiring of a part-time medical health services specialist to manage compliance and communication, with estimated expenditures rising from $43,000 in FY 2027 to $47,500 by FY 2029. The bill is set to take effect 30 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 141-C:20-c, 141-C:21
As Amended by the House: 141-C:20-c, 141-C:21
HB1584 text: 141-C:20-c, 141-C:21