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A leading and respected voice on mental illness, NAMI NH engages with local, state, and national policymakers and service providers to improve access to community-based systems of care, services, and social supports to improve the lives of all people impacted by mental illness and suicide. We train people to advocate for themselves, their loved ones, and their community to promote sustainable change in our mental health system and government policies while dispelling the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and suicide.
On this page, you can find in-depth information on NAMI NH’s advocacy work, including policy positions, legislation we are following, and information on how you can take action for your community.
Interested in joining our work? Click here or email us at advocacy@naminh.org to get started.
Though the 2026 NH legislative session presented significant challenges for people and families impacted by mental illness and suicide, the advocacy of our mental health community was unwavering, and resulted in many crucial policy victories.
This year, New Hampshire’s mental health system and supportive programs were the focus of several pieces of legislation. Within this work, we were able to pass two critical bills – HB 480, a bill establishing a pilot program for one or more forensic liaisons to support the state’s competency restoration system, and HB 1569, which repeals the sale of the Philbrook Center and protects the state’s community treatment capacity. These policies provide the groundwork necessary to connect folks with the care they need.
Unfortunately, other policies that would have supported our system did not pass, including those that would have expanded statewide mental health treatment courts (HB 1067), expanded insurance coverage of functional support services (SB 646), strengthened network oversight and access to care (HB 1812 & SB 546), and mitigated impacts of recent Medicaid policy changes (SB 484 & HB 1794). Additionally, HB 348, which creates barriers to accessing local welfare that impact people who may be leaving inpatient treatment, was passed and signed into law, as was a bill negatively impacting individuals in mental health crisis in emergency rooms (SB 667).
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Several bills that would have negatively impacted access to services were defeated. This includes HB 392, which would have repealed the NH Office of Health Access, HB 1372 & HB 1790, which proposed to expand the use of involuntary treatment rather than invest in more appropriate community resources, and HB 1499, which would have expanded grounds for eviction to include criminal offenses committed prior to signing of a lease, impacting entire households.
Another key focus for NAMI NH this legislative session was working to defeat policies that threatened to harm the mental health of youth and young adults throughout the state. This effort was largely successful, defeating bills that would have repealed key frameworks for school services and supports (HB 1754), expanded the use of harmful restraints and seclusion in schools and treatment facilities (HB 1688), weakened requirements for suicide prevention training for school staff (HB 1635), eliminated affirming environments for transgender and nonbinary youth (HB 1442 & SB 552) and limited participation in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a crucial tool for monitoring youth mental health trends (HB 1191). Additionally, a bill that would have increased suicide risk for young adults in college by allowing the possession of firearms on university campuses was defeated (HB 1793).
Among the highest priorities of this session was SB 498, a bill which would have required commercial insurance plans to cover FAST Forward wraparound services for its members. Though this policy saw strong support from advocates, legislators, stakeholders, state agencies, and the Governor, it ultimately was voted interim study by the House, and therefore did not go forward this session. This bill was the result of years of work to close this critical coverage gap for commercially insured families – and that work will continue, regardless of SB 498 stalling out in the House.
Thank you for your advocacy this session. It is only through the strength, courage, and stories of our NAMI NH community that we were able to accomplish many important victories this session. Our advocacy won’t stop, as we continue collective efforts to strengthen mental health policy both in the legislature and beyond. Stay connected with our work – remember, hope starts with you.
Use the below dropdowns, to access an archive of public testimony that NAMI NH has provided to the NH legislature.
2026 Testimony
September 29, 2026
April 22, 2026
April 16, 2026
- SB 498 – Relative to children’s mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.
- SB 646 – Relative to mental health standards of care.
April 15, 2026
- SB 647 – Authorizing the department of insurance to participate in a cooperative procurement group via an intergovernmental agreement for a prescription drug discount program.
- SB 544 – Relative to managed care laws.
- SB 640 – Relative to the use of artificial intelligence to provide services requiring a professional license.
April 14, 2026
April 8, 2026
- SB 667 – Relative to the assault of emergency room personnel.
- SB 464 – Relative to civil rights enforcement.
- SB 430 – Relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents and legal guardians.
- SB 459 – Exempting classification of individuals based on biological sex from the definition of an unlawful discriminatory practice in certain limited circumstances.
- HB 1797 – Relative to eligibility for public assistance, including the New Hampshire employment program, family assistance program, and SNAP.
April 7, 2026
April 2, 2026
- HB 1442 – Limiting the use of certain facilities on the basis of sex and redefining the term “gender identity.”
- HB 1376 – Relative to a parent’s ability to raise their child in a manner consistent with the child’s biological sex.
April 1, 2026
March 31, 2026
March 25, 2026
- SB 423 – Reestablishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.
- SB 552 – Permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
- SB 450 – Relative to a state parks pass pilot program for recovery centers and community mental health centers.
- HB 1569 – Repealing the directive that the state sell the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord.
March 24, 2026
March 18, 2026
March 11, 2026
March 10, 2026
March 3, 2026
February 25, 2026
February 24, 2026
February 20, 2026
- HB 1564 – Removing all references of gender identity in New Hampshire statutes.
- HB 1447 – Restricting the use of certain public and private facilities on the basis of sex and establishing that such restriction does not qualify as discrimination.
- HB 1442 – Limiting the use of certain facilities on the basis of sex and redefining the term “gender identity.”
- HB 1299 – Permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances and establishing that certain biological sex distinctions do not qualify as discrimination.
- HB 1217 – Permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
February 18, 2026
- HB 1070 – Relative to the involuntary emergency admission process.
- HB 1794 – Directing the department of health and human services to identify the impact of Medicaid changes on New Hampshire residents’ access to health care.
- HB 392 – Directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services’ office of health access and the department of environmental services’ functions for environmental justice.
- HB 1760 – Repealing the directive that the department of health and human services seek a waiver to establish pharmacy copayment and premium requirements under the state Medicaid plan and making an appropriation therefor.
February 17, 2026
- HB 1554 – Requiring insurance carriers to provide peer-to-peer review at any stage of prior authorization and mandating disclosure of reviewer credentials.
- SB 667 – Relative to the assault of emergency room personnel.
- HB 1638 – Creating a bypass mechanism for health insurer step therapy protocols when medically necessary.
- SB 658 – Authorizing the department of education to establish a safe and resilient schools advisory council.
February 12, 2026
February 11, 2026
- HB 1372 – Establishing a commission to study the feasibility of reestablishing a state psychiatric hospital for adults with severe mental illness.
- HB 1754 – Repealing the statewide use of the multi-tiered system of supports for behavioral health and wellness relative to systems of care for children’s mental health.
- SB 459 – Relative to biological sex in student athletics and prisons.
- SB 552 – Permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
- SB 498 – Relative to children’s mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.
February 9, 2026
- HB 1688 – Expanding the circumstances where the restraint is permitted in schools and treatment facilities and modifying the definition of seclusion.
- HB 1191 – Relative to parental notice for non-academic surveys in public schools.
February 4, 2026
- HB 1744 – Relative to oversight and reporting requirements for health insurance carriers regarding mental health coverage.
- SB 544 – Limiting changes to prescription drug formularies under health benefit plans.
February 3, 2026
February 2, 2026
January 28, 2026
January 22, 2026
- SB 651 – Relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.
January 21, 2026
- HB 1032 – Creating an exception to physical attendance and quorum requirements under the right-to-know law for individuals with disabilities and individuals caring for a household member with disabilities.
- CACR 25 – Relative to the right to marry. Providing that the right to marry is a fundamental civil right and that the state shall protect the right of every individual, regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race, to marry and to have their marriage legally recognized.
- HB 1761 – Expanding the New Hampshire paid family and medical leave program.
- HB 1812 – Requiring periodic evaluation of mental health access adequacy by an independent third party.
- HB 1635 – Modifying the requirements of suicide prevention education policies in schools.
- SB 423 – Reestablishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.
January 20, 2026
- SB 555 – Relative to critical risk protection orders.
- HB 1499 – Relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute.
January 15, 2026
January 14, 2026
- HB 1642 – Relative to extreme risk protection orders.
- SB 615 – Relative to the use and regulation of EBT cards and SNAP eligibility.
- SB 573 – Establishing certification standards for facility comfort dogs.
- HB 1793 – Prohibiting public colleges and universities from regulating the possession or carrying of firearms and non-lethal weapons on campus.
- HB 1067 – Relative to the mental health courts.
- SB 546 – Relative to health carrier network access monitoring.
January 13, 2026
2025 Testimony
2025 NH Legislative Session Recap
May 15, 2025
May 6, 2025
- HB 1 & HB 2 – The NH State Budget
- HB 446 – Relative to parental notice for non-academic surveys in public schools
April 16, 2025
- SB 134 – Relative to work requirements under the state Medicaid program
- SB 268 – Permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances
April 9, 2025
- SB 96 – Relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents
- HB 597 – Establishing a designated behavioral health access point within the enhanced 911 system
April 8, 2025
April 3, 2025
April 1, 2025
- HB 653 – Establishing a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students
- HB 10 – Establishing the parental bill of rights
March 31, 2025
March 26, 2025
March 12, 2025
- HB 1 & HB 2 – The NH State Budget and Trailer Bills
- HB 446 – Relative to parental notice for non-academic surveys in public schools.
- HB 636 – Relative to community mental health providers.
- SB 252 – Relative to criteria for providing certain medical care through telemedicine.
March 5, 2025
March 4, 2025
- SB 211 – Relative to biological sex in student athletics.
- SB 96 – Relative to mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents.
March 3, 2025
- HB 712 – Limiting breast surgeries for minors.
- HB 377 – Relative to health care professionals administering hormone treatments and puberty blockers.
February 20, 2025
February 19, 2025
- HB 50 – Relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces.
- HB 653 – Establishing a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students.
- HB 517 – Repealing the Granite State paid family leave plan.
- HB 148 – Permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain circumstances.
- SB 246 – Providing maternal depression screening for new mothers, increasing access to health care services for new mothers, and relative to job protection within the employer-sponsored New Hampshire paid family and medical leave plan.
February 18, 2025
- SB 142 – Establishing the department of children’s services and juvenile justice.
- HB 10 – Establishing the parental bill of rights.
- HB 285 – Relative to determination of parental rights and responsibilities.
February 13, 2025
- SB 38 – Relative to state recognition of biological sex.
- SB 268 – Permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
February 12, 2025
February 11, 2025
- SB 238 – Extending funding for the adverse childhood experiences prevention and treatment pilot program.
- HB 560 – Relative to parental access to a minor child’s medical records.
February 10, 2025
- SB 128 – Relative to children’s mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.
- SB 136 – Establishing an uncompensated care assessment, fund, and committee within the department of insurance.
February 7, 2025
- HB 159 – Authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for confiscation of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities.
- HB 665 – Relative to eligibility for free school meals.
February 6, 2025
February 5, 2025
- SB 134 – Relative to work requirements under the state Medicaid program.
- HB 507 – Relative to the timeline for credentialing of mental health care providers.
- HB 392 – Directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services’ office of health equity, department of environmental services’ functions for civil rights and environmental justice, and the governor’s council on diversity and inclusion.
- SB 244 – Relative to expanding access to primary health care services, increasing the number of direct health care providers, increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, and making an appropriation therefor.
February 4, 2025
January 31, 2025
January 30, 2025
- HB 432 – Relative to recovery houses.
- HB 56 – Requiring a background check and mandatory waiting period during certain firearm transfers.
January 29, 2025
- HB 480 – Relative to restoration of competency to stand trial for criminal defendants.
- Amendment to HB 446 – Relative to parental notice for non-academic surveys in public schools.
January 28, 2025
- SB 114 – Making appropriations to the department of health and human services to support community and transitional housing through community mental health centers.
- SB 113 – Making appropriations to the department of health and human services for homeless services and homeless prevention.
- HB 583 – Relative to state participation in the Medicaid direct certification program for free and reduced price school meals.
January 23, 2025
- HB 519 – Making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to fund and support the Waypoint youth and young adult shelter.
- HB 348 – Relative to eligibility for local assistance.
- HB 72 – Extending the commission to study telehealth services.
January 22, 2025
January 21, 2025
2024 Testimony
2024 NH Legislative Session Recap
October 30, 2024
May 1, 2024
April 30, 2024
- HB 1020 – establishing a committee to study restoration of competency.
- SB 555 – relative to receipt of pharmaceutical rebates by insurers and pharmacy benefits managers.
- HB 1205 – relative to women’s school sports.
April 25, 2024
- HB 396 – permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.
- HB 619 – to require a person to attain the age of majority for genital gender reassignment surgery.
- HB 1633 – relative to the legalization and regulation of cannabis and making appropriations therefor.
April 24, 2024
April 23, 2024
- HB 1573 – making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to enhance oversight of children in residential placements.
- SB 417 – relative to out-of-home placements for children.
- SB 561 – relative to prior authorizations for health care.
April 22, 2024
April 18, 2024
April 17, 2024
April 16, 2024
April 10, 2024
- SB387 – relative to a state parks pass pilot program for recovery centers and community mental health centers
- SB367 – reestablishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders
- SB403 – relative to the health care workforce
- HB1190 – relative to adopting the interstate social work licensure compact
April 2, 2024
March 26, 2024
February 20, 2024
February 8, 2024
February 7, 2024
- HB1020 – Relative to establishing a commission to study the legal implications of insanity and restoration of competency
- HB1663 – Relative to the confidentiality of medical records and patient information
- SB401 – Relative to removing the prospective repeal of the New Hampshire granite advantage health care program and trust fund
February 6, 2024
- HB1162 – Relative to teaching discrimination in public schools and discrimination in public workplaces
- HB1356 – Relative to the use of children’s names and pronouns by public school employees
- HB1573 – Relative to oversight of and criteria for residential placement of children
- SB524 – Relative to women’s sports
February 5, 2024
- HB1473 – Relative to social-emotional learning in public schools
- HB1185 – Relative to sexual education instruction
February 2, 2024
- HB1711 – authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for confiscation of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities.
- HB1050 – Relative to establishing a voluntary waiver of the right to purchase a firearm
January 31, 2024
- HB1702 – Relative to oversight of liquor commission funding and repealing the liquor commission fund
January 30, 2024
January 29, 2024
January 25, 2024
- SB573 – Relative to parental consent for medical care
- SB360 – Relative to extreme risk protection orders
- SB417 – Relative to out-of-home placements for children
January 18, 2024
- SB508 – Relative to the duties of the superintendent of the county department of corrections concerning mental health and substance use disorder screening of inmates and coordination for services upon reentry into the community
- HB1011 – Relative to prohibiting male genital mutilation
January 17, 2024
January 16, 2024
- SB562 – Relative to state recognition of biological sex
- SB387 – Relative to a state parks pass pilot program for recovery centers and community health centers
January 10, 2024
- SB457 – Relative to inpatient psychiatric services authorization and utilization review
- SB410 – Establishing a mental health community and transitional housing fund
- SB403 – Relative to health care workforce investments
January 9, 2024
- HB1199 – Relative to services of the office of the child advocate for youth experiencing homelessness and making an appropriation therefor
- SB577 – Relative to imposing a waiting period between the purchase and delivery of a firearm
January 3, 2024
2023 Testimony
October 31, 2023
May 10, 2023
May 2, 2023
- HB 1&2 – NH State Budget and Budget Trailer Bill.
- HB 114 – Relative to the age at which a minor may receive mental health treatment without parental consent.
April 25, 2023
- SB 253 – Relative to parental access to a minor child’s medical records.
- HB 491 – Relative to prohibiting the use of the prone restraint for minors.
April 19, 2023
- SB 235 – Relative to services provided through a primary care behavioral health model.
- SB 238 – Relative to the use of telemedicine to treat mental health conditions.
April 18, 2023
- SB 272 –Establishing a parents’ bill of rights in education.
- HB 315 – Prohibiting provocation based on the defendant’s religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, political beliefs or affiliation, sex, or gender identity.
- SB 58 – Relative to arrests without a warrant while in the care of a medical professional on the premises of a residential care or health care facility.
April 12, 2023
April 4, 2023
- SB 263 –Extending the New Hampshire granite advantage health care program and reestablishing the commission to evaluate the effectiveness and future of the New Hampshire granite advantage health care program.
- HB 49 – Relative to postponing the closure of the Sununu Youth Services Center.
March 29, 2023
March 28, 2023
March 21, 2023
March 15, 2023
March 13, 2023
- HB 1&2 – NH State Budget and Budget Trailer Bill
- SB 116 – Relative to discharge from the secure psychiatric unit of the state prison.
March 7, 2023
- HB 619 –Prohibiting gender transition procedures for minors, relative to sex and gender in public schools, and relative to the definition of conversion therapy.
- HB 368 –Relative to protections related to receiving gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care.
- HB 10 –Establishing the parental bill of rights.
- HB 417 – Relative to the definition of child abuse.
- SB 272 –Establishing a parents’ bill of rights in education.
February 24, 2023
February 22, 2023
February 21, 2023
February 16, 2023
- HB 114 – Relative to the age at which a minor may receive mental health treatment without parental consent.
- HB 406 – Relative to parental access to children’s medical records.
- SB 265 – Making an appropriation for the multi-tiered system of support for children’s mental health.
February 15, 2023
- SB 235 – Relative to services provided through a primary care behavioral health model.
- SB 238 – Relative to the use of telemedicine to treat mental health conditions.
February 9, 2023
February 8, 2023
- HB 106 – Relative to extreme risk protection orders.
- SB 175 – Relative to Medicaid coverage for mothers.
February 7, 2023
- HB 505 – Relative to comprehensive mental health education in schools.
- HB 104 – Relative to multi-stall bathrooms and locker rooms in schools.
- HB 352 – Relative to excused absences due to a student’s mental or behavioral health.
- HB 491 – Relative to prohibiting the use of the prone restraint for minors.
- SB 179 – Relative to eliminating the use of seclusion as a form of punishment or discipline on children in schools and treatment facilities.
- SB 184 – Relative to the age at which a minor may receive mental health treatment without parental consent.
February 1, 2023
- SB 86 – Relative to health care workforce development and making appropriations therefor.
- HB 565 – Relative to expanding Medicaid to include certain postpartum health care services.
- HB 315 – Prohibiting provocations based on a victims actual or perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation from being used as a defense in a criminal case.
- HB 264 –Relative to amendments and corrections to birth records.
January 31, 2023
January 26, 2023
January 25, 2023
January 19, 2023
January 12, 2023
2022 Testimony
April 14, 2022
- HB1526 – Relative to income eligibility for in and out medical assistance.
- HB1622 – Relative to mental health parity.
April 12, 2022
- SB407 – Relative to expanding Medicaid to include certain postpartum health care services and making an appropriation therefor.
- SB444 – Relative to childhood adverse experiences treatment and prevention.
April 7, 2022
April 6, 2022
- HB1345 – Relative to the release of a teenager’s medical records to a parent or guardian.
- SB234 – Requiring student identification cards to include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
- SB392 – Establishing a commission to study insanity and restoration of competency.
April 5, 2022
- SB227 – Relative to death benefits for first responders who die from suicide.
- SB422 – Establishing an adult dental benefit under the state Medicaid program.
March 30, 2022
March 16, 2022
February 22, 2022
February 15, 2022
- HB1077 – Repealing the prohibition on conversion therapy for minors.
- HB1651 – Adding sexual reassignment to the definition of child abuse.
February 3, 2022
- HB1198 – Relative to rules of the department of education concerning culture and climate in schools.
February 2, 2022
- HB1028 – Relative to the form of individual health insurance policies.
- SB373 – Relative to coverage for certain mental illnesses.
- SB391 – Relative to the operation of a state forensic psychiatric hospital.
- SB422 – Establishing an adult dental benefit under the state Medicaid program.
February 1, 2022
January 25, 2022
January 20, 2022
- SB407 – Relative to expanding Medicaid to include certain postpartum health care services and making an appropriation therefor.
- SB444 – Relative to childhood adverse experiences treatment and prevention.
January 19, 2022
- HB1622 – Relative to mental health parity.
- HB1639 – Relative to the youth risk behavior survey in schools.
January 11, 2022
2021 Testimony
October 27, 2021
October 14, 2021
September 22, 2021
June 7, 2021
May 5, 2021
April 14, 2021
- HB 220 – Establishing medical freedom in immunizations.
- HB 540 – Relative to supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship.
March 29, 2021
March 16, 2021
February 25, 2021
February 23, 2021
- HB 578 – Relative to standards for mental health courts.
- NAMI NH Testimony on Concord Hospital – LRGH Merger
February 17, 2021
February 16, 2021
February 8, 2021
January 29, 2021
- HB 103 – Establishing a dental benefit under the state Medicaid program.
- HB 602 – Relative to reimbursements for telemedicine.
January 28, 2021
- HB 254 – Relative to the placement of minors in secure settings.
- HB 427 – Prohibiting corporal punishment of children in state agency programs.
- SB 59 – Relative to the collaborative care model service delivery method.
January 27, 2021
2020 Testimony
October 26, 2020
June 24, 2020
February 11, 2020
February 5, 2020
January 29, 2020
- HB 1163 – Requiring schools to update documents and software to include the option of identifying a student as non-binary.
- SB 412 – Establishing a commission to study issues relating to corrections officers.
- SB 634 – Relative to establishing a peer support program in the department of health and human services.
January 28, 2020
January 23, 2020
- HB 1174 – Requiring screening for all law enforcement officers for psychological stability and substance use disorders prior to assuming their duties as certified officers.
- HB 1521 – Adding a peer support specialist to the board of mental health practice.
January 22, 2020
January 21, 2020
- HB 1122 – Relative to death benefits of first responders who die from suicide.
- HB 1346 – Requiring the insurance department to make a report regarding the impact of insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders.
January 16, 2020
January 13, 2020
2019 Testimony
May 8, 2019
April 30, 2019
- HB 514 – Imposing a waiting period between the purchase and delivery of a firearm.
- SB 131 – Reestablishing a commission to study grandfamilies in New Hampshire.
April 23, 2019
- HB 652 – Relative to suicide prevention.
- SB 224 – Relative to insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders.
April 3, 2019
- SB 51 – Establishing a commission to study expanding mental health courts statewide.
- SB 282 -Relative to suicide prevention education in schools.
- SB 292 – Relative to implementation of the new mental health 10-year plan.
March 26, 2019
March 19, 2019
March 5, 2019
- HB 687 – Relative to extreme risk protection orders.
- SB 177 – Relative to the use of physical restraints on persons who are involuntarily committed.
February 13, 2019
February 12, 2019
- HB 726 – Relative to the secure psychiatric unit and making an appropriation therefor.
- SB 14 – Relative to child welfare.
January 30, 2019
- HB 610 –Relative to treatment alternatives to opioids.
- HB 652 – Relative to suicide prevention.
- HB 677 – Relative to discipline of students, addressing students’ behavioral needs, and making an appropriation therefor.
January 29, 2019
- SB 59 – Adding post traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder to the definition of “injury” for purposes of workers’ compensation and reestablishing the commission to study the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders.
- SB 224 – Relative to insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders.
January 24, 2019
January 22, 2019
- HB 113 – Relative to qualifications for and exceptions from licensure for mental health practice.
- SB 5 – Making an appropriation relative to Medicaid provider rates for mental health and substance misuse.
- SB 11 – Relative to mental health services and making appropriations therefor.
- SB 51 – Establishing a commission to study expanding mental health courts statewide.
January 16, 2019
- HB 131 – Establishing a commission on mental health education programs.
- HB 240 – Establishing a commission to study the causes of high suicide rates of emergency and first responders.
- HCR 4 – Encouraging media outlets not to broadcast the name or image of a suspected perpetrator of a mass shooting.
January 9, 2019
2018 Testimony
April 10, 2018
- HB 587 – Relative to conversion therapy seeking to change a person’s sexual orientation.
- SB 508 – Establishing a committee to study the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other related disorders among first responders.
April 2, 2018
March 27, 2018
February 20, 2018
February 13, 2018
- HB 1319 – Prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity.
- SB 480 – Limiting the use of electroconvulsive therapy.
January 24, 2018
January 23, 2018
- HB 1560 – Prohibiting Medicaid from paying for sex reassignment drug or hormone therapy or surgery
- SB 553 – Relative to mental health parity for workers’ compensation
January 17, 2018
January 16, 2018
- HB 1565 – Relative to requiring the secure psychiatric unit to be accredited as a psychiatric hospital
- HB 1751 – Relative to insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders
- HB 1811 – Relative to the New Hampshire health protection program
- SB 502 -Relative to transparency and standards for acquisition transactions in health care
Please fill out the form below to share your interest in getting involved in NAMI NH's advocacy work, sign up for Public Policy Alerts, and register for our Quorum Advocacy Action Center. Questions? Reach out to advocacy@naminh.org
So much was accomplished by NAMI NH’s founders back in the 1980s by creating personal contacts with their state and federal legislators. This work continues today, and it is a powerful action that you can take yourself. The dropdowns below include valuable information about the NH legislature and how you can act for mental health.
NH's State and Federal Legislators
The New Hampshire state legislature is called the General Court and is comprised of two separate bodies: the NH House of Representatives and the NH Senate. Along with the governor, state Senators and House Representatives pass laws each year impacting mental health policy throughout the state.
New Hampshire has a total of 424 state legislators (24 State Senators and 400 State Representatives), making the NH General Court one of the largest legislative bodies in the world. You are represented in state government by one State Senator and up to eleven State Representatives, depending upon where you live.
The legislature of the United States is called Congress, and is also comprised of two bodies: the US Senate and the US House of Representatives.
Each state has two US Senators representing the entire state, while states also have from one to 53 US Representatives based on population size, representing different districts of the state. To find your federal legislators, you can enter your zip code here.
Contacting Your Legislator
Remember, your legislators represent you. As such, making your voice heard is one of the most powerful actions you can take to improve policies impacting your community. By calling, emailing, scheduling a meeting, or connecting with your policymaker in a variety of other ways, you can influence policy and change lives.
In New Hampshire, our state legislators often provide their email, phone number, and home address so that their constituents can reach them. Click here to find contact information for your NH legislators (select your town from the drop-down menu and scroll down to find your state Senator and Representative, then click their to see their contact information).
Sample Questions for Policymakers
In order to make meaningful change in our communities, legislators and local decision-makers need to hear from YOU – their constituents!
It’s Your Move, a free advocacy training from NAMI NH, provides participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to engage their state and local decision-makers and influence policy change within their community. Participants learn about the New Hampshire political structure, the most effective ways to communicate their story, how to respond to opposition, and more! Through lectures, role-playing activities, and storytelling workshops, participants are able to gain confidence in their ability to tell their stories and influence the legislative process.
It’s Your Move sessions are held every fall — sign up to be notified when the next training is scheduled.
As a participant, you will learn:
- What an advocate is and how you can become an effective one
- Everything you need to know about the NH legislature and legislative process
- How to use your story as a foundation for change
- Opportunities and methods for making your “ask”
- Strategies to respond to opposition
- How one person can make a difference for all people affected by mental illness
To learn more about It’s Your Move or other advocacy training opportunities, advocacy@naminh.org
