Bill Text: NH HB358 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relative to exemption from immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 7-1)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-08 - Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs House Journal 2 [HB358 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2025-HB358-Introduced.html
HB 358 - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0441
05/11
HOUSE BILL 358
AN ACT relative to exemption from immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief.
SPONSORS: Rep. Kofalt, Hills. 32; Rep. Comtois, Belk. 7; Rep. DeVito, Rock. 8; Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Rep. Wheeler, Hills. 33; Rep. Wherry, Hills. 13; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Innis, Dist 7
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill provides that a parent or legal guardian may claim an exemption from childhood immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief by providing a signed statement to that effect. The bill removes the statutory reference to a form used for such purpose.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0441
05/11
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to exemption from immunization requirements on the basis of religious belief.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Communicable Disease; Exemption Based on Religious Belief. Amend RSA 141-C:20-c to read as follows:
141-C:20-c Exemptions.
A child shall be exempt from immunization if:
I. A physician licensed under RSA 329, or a physician exempted under RSA 329:21, III, certifies that immunization against a particular disease may be detrimental to the child's health. The exemption shall exist only for the length of time, in the opinion of the physician, such immunization would be detrimental to the child. An exemption from immunization for one disease shall not affect other required immunizations.
II. A parent or legal guardian objects to immunization because of religious beliefs. [The parent or legal guardian shall sign a form stating that the child has not been immunized because of religious beliefs.] The exemption shall require no more information than a statement that the child has not been immunized because of religious belief pursuant to RSA 141-C:20, II and a signature by the parent or legal guardian.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
