NH Legislature wrapped up its 2026 session in June, with lawmakers passing consequential bills affecting health care, human services, and local safety net.

The New Laws: Medicaid and Local Assistance

Two major bills successfully passed into law this session, both introducing stricter eligibility guidelines for state and local benefits.

SB-134 officially revises the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, aligning New Hampshire with federal policies by adding strict community engagement and work requirements to Medicaid expansion. Under both state and federal frameworks, impacted enrollees must complete 80 hours a month of work or supervised community service. According to official NH DHHS guidance, these requirements are slated for implementation in January 2027. While New Hampshire has the option to request a six-month extension, it is currently unknown whether state officials will apply for one. Peer agencies should note that volunteer work used to meet community service requirements will require rigorous record keeping, including specific dates, hours, and formal supervision, though exact administrative details are not yet available.

HB-348 targets municipal safety nets by allowing towns to impose a 90-day residency requirement for local general assistance. Effective July 27, 2026, individuals experiencing a crisis may be required to show documentary evidence that they have maintained a continuous residence within the state for at least 90 days before qualifying for emergency town- or city-provided aid such as shelter, food, or utility assistance.

Sidelined for Now: Vetoed or Postponed

Executive action and referrals to interim study halted progress on four other bills, though some could return in future legislative sessions.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte exercised her veto power on SB-268, a controversial bill that would have permitted sex discrimination in specific venues, including certain mental health facilities.

Meanwhile, three bills were referred to interim study. In New Hampshire, this effectively tables a bill for the remainder of the year while allowing lawmakers to refine the concepts for potential reintroduction next session:

HB-1797: This bill aimed to further restrict access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits. Crucially, it tightened work requirements for SNAP eligibility and restricted DHHS’s ability to use federal waivers or state exemptions.

SB-647: This proposal would have authorized the Department of Insurance to participate in a cooperative procurement group to establish a prescription drug discount program.

SB-506: Designed to implement the same Medicaid work requirements as SB-134, this bill was effectively a duplicate and was shelved with no practical effect.

Defeated Legislation

The remaining four bills tracked by NHMHPA officially died this session after failing to clear the necessary legislative hurdles:

HB-1067: A bill intended to revise the processes for establishing mental health courts and launching a dedicated grant program was laid on the table and failed to progress.

HB-392: An effort to abolish the Office of Health Equity within DHHS passed the House but ultimately failed in the Senate.

SB-450: This pilot program, which sought to provide state park passes to recovery centers and community mental health centers, was defeated in the House.

SB-484: A bill aiming to safeguard Medicaid expansion by prohibiting premiums and limiting cost sharing died early in the Senate.

Looking to the Future

As the dust settles, the immediate focus for peer support agencies shifts to education and preparation as the newly passed legislation moves toward implementation. It is also important to continue advocacy efforts by calling and writing to legislators.