Warning: Bill numbers and names are based on text-to-speech transcript which may have errors due to transcription issues or ad hoc/incomplete language use by committee.
Introduces the executive session for discussion on HB 1772 and invites Dr. Ballard to explain the bill.
HB1772
Information Only00:07:54.263 - 9:03:26 AM
Explains that the amended legislation clarifies that the state's licensing board has no role in oversight or banning research on Ibogaine, a Schedule I drug. Emphasizes that research requires federal approvals from NIDA and DEA, not state involvement. The department takes no position on the amended language. Details the extensive process for physicians to conduct research, including IRB approval, NIH application, DEA permission, and procurement through NIDA facilities. Notes ongoing Schedule I research elsewhere but none in NH for Ibogaine. Confirms the bill removes state regulatory barriers but federal hurdles remain.
HB1772
Information Only00:10:25.623 - 9:05:57 AM
Asks clarifying questions about the research process, DEA waivers, procurement of the substance, current studies on Schedule I drugs, and the bill's placement under OPLC to avoid state sanctions.
HB1772
Information Only00:14:47.263 - 9:10:19 AM
Asks about NIDA data on investigational uses of Schedule I drugs and references clinicaltrials.gov for listings.
HB1772
Information Only00:15:59.863 - 9:11:31 AM
Confirms the difference between investigational use and clinical availability, emphasizing research protocols over prescription.
HB1337
Information Only00:22:10.646 - 9:17:42 AM
Introduces HB 1337, notes the prime sponsor's absence, and explains the bill repeals the council.
HB1337
Oppose00:22:10.646 - 9:17:42 AM
Opposes HB 1337, which seeks to repeal the council. Recalls a similar bill last year that failed after Senate amendments to aid the council post-COVID quorum issues. Notes the council has been reconstituted, with recent meeting minutes, an accepted annual report, and six vacancies filled by the governor, enabling quorum. Emphasizes the council's unique role serving the vulnerable autism population, unaddressed by other entities, and no appropriation needed to maintain it.
HB1337
Support00:25:33.466 - 9:21:05 AM
Responds to questions about the Autism Council's annual report, objectives, and achievements, highlighting the promotion of the Blue Envelope Law for interactions with law enforcement. Notes the council's renewed energy, volunteer efforts, and lack of evidence for claims of limited transparency or overstepping authority. Emphasizes the council's online minutes, Facebook presence, and open sessions for feedback.
HB1337
Support00:30:20.156 - 9:25:52 AM
As a parent of a 20-year-old son on the autism spectrum and a 25-year professional in applied behavior analysis, she praises the New Hampshire Autism Council's website as a central resource hub for therapies, support groups, and sensory places, which was lacking before. She highlights the Blue Envelope program's importance for safe police interactions and notes the increase in autism prevalence from 1 in 150 to 1 in 31 children. Recently appointed to the council, she describes improved passion and progress in meetings, subcommittees, and partnerships, urging the committee not to repeal the council as it eases access for tired families.
HB1337
Support00:40:23.734 - 9:35:55 AM
An adult with autism and council member, speaking personally, expresses exhaustion from fighting for inclusion. Joined due to her daughter's more severe autism; notes past leadership disappearance and the council's volunteer revival from ashes with limited budget for administrative support to comply with RSA 91-A. Clarifies the council's role as a connector between silos like HHS and education, not direct service provider. Addresses opposition from vocal groups expecting direct services; defends transparency and addresses redaction concerns in 91-A requests. Emphasizes need to raise up autistic leaders and the council's progress in meetings, reports, and resources despite volunteer limitations and unrealistic statutory expectations like grant writing.
HB1337
Support00:52:59.568 - 9:48:31 AM
Presents the 2025 annual report, agendas, and membership list, noting 21 seated members including recent governor appointees with lived experience (six new with autism or family members). Recaps activities like info sessions on Blue Envelope Law, assistive technology, Parent Information Center, and upcoming talks on Medicaid changes and mental health supports. Stresses basing agendas on community feedback, unique role supporting all autistic individuals beyond Medicaid waivers, especially post-high school transitions. Confirms compliance with RSA 91-A via attorney general consultations and full website transparency. Describes re-energized council with subcommittees, robust participation, and dedicated members addressing service gaps through resources and information sharing, not direct services.
HB1337
Oppose01:03:40.577 - 9:59:12 AM
Karen Blake, speaking on behalf of herself and her son who has autism, opposes HB 1337 which seeks to repeal the Autism Council. She highlights the council's importance as a resource for information and support during Autism Acceptance Month. Despite challenges like in-person requirements and COVID disruptions, she participates when possible and values its openness to the public. She emphasizes the need for the council to cover the entire autism spectrum, including those not qualifying for long-term supports. She shares how the council contributed to the Blue Envelope program for safe police interactions with autistic drivers. Blake urges the committee to oppose the bill to allow the council to continue evolving for individuals, families, friends, and professionals affected by autism.
During questioning, she explains the Blue Envelope as an optional tool for autistic drivers containing interaction guidelines and vehicle documents. She notes the council's admin is part-time and shared with the Quality Council. On the council's size (23 members), she argues it's necessary for diverse perspectives, similar to the Quality Council, and recent members bring fresh insights given evolving understanding of autism. She mentions past efforts to adjust membership for better remote participation. She confirms the council requires quorum and generally achieves it.
HB1378
Oppose01:15:01.845 - 10:10:33 AM
Ben Bradley from the New Hampshire Hospital Association supports parents' rights to access their minors' medical records but opposes HB 1378 due to unintended consequences and false presumptions. He clarifies that parents already have access to medical records under RSA 332-I:1 via electronic or hard copy requests. The bill incorrectly includes patient portals as official medical records, which they are not; portals are user interfaces for messaging, results, and scheduling. Federal and state laws protect adolescents' confidential health information (e.g., substance misuse, behavioral health) to encourage timely care, as studied in the 2024 legislative committee on adolescent consent and confidentiality. Portals lack technology to separate protected from non-protected information, potentially forcing providers to terminate portal access to comply with laws. He offers the committee report for reference.
In response to questions, Bradley reiterates that portals are distinct from official records and not controlled directly by hospitals (often third-party), complicating compliance. He explains protections allow minors to consent to certain care without parents to prevent delays. Even if parents pay bills, access to protected information is limited by law, separate from portal issues. Shutting down portals would remove a valuable tool without resolving broader privacy concerns under state and federal law. He notes hospitals encourage parental involvement but must comply with legal protections for minors.
HB1378
Information Only01:36:00.000 - 10:31:32 AM
Courtney Tanner, Senior Director of Government Relations at Dartmouth Health, shares concerns about HB 1378 while emphasizing the importance of parental involvement in pediatric care. As New Hampshire's largest pediatric provider and operator of the state's only children's hospital, Dartmouth Health supports parents in treatment planning 95% of the time but highlights exceptions like abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and protective orders from any state. The bill attempts to address these but needs cleanup, such as broadening protective order references beyond New Hampshire RSAs and clarifying adolescent consent scenarios (e.g., STI treatment during a physical, where records are redacted for parents). Portals change access at age 12, showing standard results but redacting protected care like substance use, birth control, and STIs to ensure adolescents seek care without broader crises. Achieving full parental access would require extensive legislative changes to state and federal laws on adolescent carve-outs, and Dartmouth is willing to collaborate on amendments.
HB1378
Support01:42:00.000 - 10:37:32 AM
Aubrey Friedman from Bridgewater supports HB 1378, emphasizing parents' financial responsibility for children until age 18 and their need for information to make informed decisions about their children's care. She adjusts her testimony slightly in light of prior discussions but maintains support for parental access to medical records.
HB1378
Support01:43:02.627 - 10:38:34 AM
The speaker discusses existing federal and state laws that allow minors aged 12 and above to keep certain medical information confidential from parents, which she disagrees with but notes the bill does not change. She addresses concerns about the expense of adjusting hospital portals to accommodate two tiers of access—one for confidential information and one for full parental access—arguing that hospitals prefer online systems and can manage the software changes despite costs, as it's more efficient than traditional mailing or faxing. She emphasizes that the bill facilitates easier online access for parents without altering existing confidentiality laws.
HB1378
Oppose01:44:49.687 - 10:40:21 AM
Maura Weston opposes the bill, recognizing parental responsibilities in child care but stressing the importance of confidential medical access for minors aged 12-18 under state and federal law, particularly in substance abuse, sexual health, reproductive care, and mental health, based on medical evidence. She opposes including patient portals in the definition of medical records, as portals are not full records and would undermine confidentiality for sensitive care. She notes the bill may not adequately address neglect and abuse cases and offers to work with stakeholders, but as drafted, it fails to protect minors' access to care.
HB1378
Support01:48:16.477 - 10:43:48 AM
Simon Amaya Price supports HB 1378, citing U.S. Supreme Court precedents like Parham v. J.R. (1979) affirming parents' authority over children's medical care. He highlights how at least four New Hampshire hospitals (Concord Hospital, DMC Primary Care, Speer Memorial Hospital, Dartmouth Health) block full parental access to minors' electronic records via portals starting at age 12, hiding critical information on mental health, medications, diagnoses, and treatments. Drawing from personal experience of gender ideology influence in school and partial parental access preventing harm, he argues the bill ensures parents can correct errors and make informed decisions without denying teen privacy. He urges an ought to pass vote, noting the bill's exceptions under sections 2a-c and that it does not conflict with existing laws.
HB1378
Support01:59:17.955 - 10:54:49 AM
Claire Abernathy, a 21-year-old detransitioner, strongly supports HB 1378 as it upholds parents' rights to direct their children's upbringing, rooted in law and common sense. She criticizes trends where medical providers act as intermediaries, encouraging children to see parents as obstacles in sensitive decisions. From personal experience, she was placed on an irreversible medical pathway as a minor without full understanding, emphasizing the need for parental oversight, caution, and involvement. She argues medical records enable parents to question, seek second opinions, and intervene, countering claims of protecting child autonomy by noting children rely on parental judgment. Transparency strengthens families and ensures collaborative decisions in the child's best interest; she urges support for the bill.
HB1378
Support02:01:52.295 - 10:57:24 AM
Melissa Blasek, standing in for the absent sponsor after working on the bill for four years, clarifies that parents have federal rights to physical medical records, which are redacted for addiction services, STD testing/treatment, and birth control for minors over 12. However, portal access is cut off at 12 or 14 in all pediatric practices she reviewed, with no alternative electronic access evident. The bill, which passed both chambers last year but was killed end-of-session, seeks to restore portal access with redactions for those three areas using medical codes, which is technically feasible. It does not aim to change state/federal redaction laws but ensures parental login to non-sensitive information, rectifying the access barrier.
HB360
Support02:06:35.346 - 11:02:07 AM
Representative Kristen Noble, representing Hillsborough District 2 in Bedford, introduces HB 360 to prevent public schools from becoming medical facilities by prohibiting surgeries and prescribing pharmaceutical drugs on school grounds. She notes school-based health centers (SBHCs) offer services like primary care, mental health, sexual health, and education, with one at Somersworth High School and a $15 million federal grant to Manchester for a new SBHC. Examples include IUDs and implants in other states' SBHCs, and a Maine incident; parental consent is required but undermined without presence, as seen in New Hampshire vaccine clinics ignoring wishes. SBHCs risk taxpayer costs post-grants; schools' purpose is education, not medicine.
HB360
Support02:08:46.946 - 11:04:18 AM
Aubrey Friedman from Bridgewater speaks in support of HB 360, though the testimony cuts off in the transcript.
HB360
Support02:10:15.720 - 11:05:47 AM
The speaker discusses how school districts in Manchester and Somersworth have full medical centers aimed at addressing mental and health issues to improve academics, but proficiency rates remain low at 28% and 41% respectively. They argue schools should focus on education, highlight issues with parental consent as seen in vaccine clinics, liability risks for taxpayers if medical issues arise on school grounds, and the eventual end of federal grants shifting costs to locals. They reference a Maine incident where a 17-year-old girl received Zoloft from a school medical center without proper oversight, emphasizing that such risks can occur in New Hampshire and supporting the bill to keep schools as educational institutions.
HB360
Support02:12:59.320 - 11:08:31 AM
Simon supports HB 360 as a follow-up to HB 1378, arguing it keeps public schools focused on education rather than healthcare. He criticizes schools for crossing into healthcare via mental health screenings like DESSA, Youth Risk Behavior Surveys with passive consent, gender support plans, and psychological interventions without parental knowledge. He notes Planned Parenthood's involvement in policy development. Drawing from personal experience, he warns of iatrogenic harm from school interventions increasing anxiety, symptoms, and risky paths, especially in contagious issues like gender dysphoria. He urges voting ought to pass, clarifying the bill allows administration of prescribed medications like EpiPens but prohibits schools from prescribing or performing procedures.
HB360
Support02:17:37.133 - 11:13:09 AM
Claire expresses strong support for HB 360, emphasizing parents' primary right to direct children's medical care. The bill prevents schools from prescribing medications or performing surgeries, ensuring these occur with licensed professionals and parental involvement outside school. It allows administration of prescribed medications and basic care but maintains schools' educational focus, providing transparency and authority to parents.
HB360
Support02:18:50.875 - 11:14:22 AM
Melissa clarifies the bill prohibits prescriptions and surgical procedures in schools but allows administration of existing prescriptions like EpiPens. She argues schools are for education, not healthcare, and embedding clinics changes the environment, blurring lines and bypassing parental safeguards. She cites a Maine case where a girl received multiple hormonal birth controls and Zoloft without parental knowledge via school clinic. As New Hampshire's last state adopting such clinics, with one in Somersworth, she urges learning from others where clinics expand to birth control, gender counseling, and more, advocating HB 360 to preserve schools' educational role.
HB360
Support02:23:46.831 - 11:19:18 AM
Representative Wheeler admits he wrongly voted against HB 360 on the House floor by following party lines, misled by claims the bill was unnecessary. He asserts schools should not perform medical procedures, surgeries, or prescribe drugs, as medical decisions belong outside educational facilities. Without a direct New Hampshire example, he supports guardrails to prevent issues seen elsewhere, emphasizing schools are solely for education.
HB1335
Support02:29:06.822 - 11:24:38 AM
As sponsor, Representative Werry supports HB 1335 to require healthcare providers to disclose substantive financial incentives for treatments to patients, based on informed consent principles. He notes that in clinical studies, physicians must disclose financial interests due to bias risks under federal regulations, arguing the same applies in commercial healthcare to ensure unbiased care.
HB1335
Support02:30:38.902 - 11:26:10 AM
Representative Werry summarizes his testimony on informed consent and disclosure of financial incentives to healthcare providers. He references past House hearings where a doctor profited from recommending supplements that harmed patients, arguing that disclosure could prevent such issues. He mentions a proposed amendment with good definitions for written disclosures but notes objectionable parts expanding to other providers. He offers to share the amendment and addresses committee questions, clarifying that current laws and ethics codes do not specifically cover commercial financial incentives, only research under federal guidelines. He provides examples like reversed incentives in vaccinations due to insurance reimbursements and distinguishes from federal anti-kickback laws.
HB1335
Oppose02:38:35.326 - 11:34:07 AM
Dr. Ramos testifies on behalf of the New Hampshire Medical Society, opposing HB 1335 and recommending Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL). She emphasizes physicians' commitment to patient protection and autonomy, already monitored through oaths and regulations. She highlights existing federal laws like anti-kickback statutes, Stark laws prohibiting referrals with financial interests, and the Sunshine Act requiring transparency in payments. New Hampshire state laws also address this. She warns of unintended consequences: increased malpractice risk due to vague definitions of financial compensation; burden on physicians wearing multiple hats, including advisory roles; added administrative burden exacerbating burnout and reducing access to care; and risks to patient privacy under HIPAA if disclosures reveal sensitive information, like HIV treatments. She appreciates the bill's intent but states it's already covered. In response to questions, she notes direct-to-consumer advertising has a far greater influence on prescribing than individual incentives, citing the opioid epidemic as an example.
HB1335
Support02:49:30.486 - 11:45:02 AM
Aubrey Friedman supports the bill as a simple disclosure measure to ensure informed consent. He argues that if physicians are not doing anything unethical, disclosure poses no problem and promotes transparency. He questions potential extra compensation influencing recommendations and stresses the importance of patients knowing about conflicts of interest. He suggests lowering the $5,000 threshold for disclosure, as even smaller amounts like pens or notepads from drug reps could influence, but substantial compensation definitely should be disclosed.