Committee Summary for Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/19/2025)

Pearl, Howard (Chairman)(R)[B]2025	McGough, Tim(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025	Reardon, Tara(D)[F]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB182 00:00:38.280 - 8:03:00 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to the maternal mortality review committee.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB182 00:08:43.039 - 8:11:05 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to the maternal mortality review committee.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB95 00:10:15.800 - 8:12:37 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) relative to youth recreation camp cabins and the state building and fire codes.	McConkey, Mark(R)[B]2025
SB189 00:14:03.360 - 8:16:25 AM	Public Hearing	relative to fetal death records.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB189 00:23:18.840 - 8:25:40 AM	Executive Session	relative to fetal death records.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB190 00:28:14.000 - 8:30:36 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the state health assessment and state health improvement plan advisory council and the commission on the interdisciplinary primary care workforce.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB190 00:38:06.960 - 8:40:28 AM	Executive Session	relative to the state health assessment and state health improvement plan advisory council and the commission on the interdisciplinary primary care workforce.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB202 00:43:42.520 - 8:46:04 AM	Public Hearing	relative to Alzheimer's disease and other related dementia training for first responders.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB192 01:00:11.680 - 9:02:33 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a committee to study enhanced coordination between county correctional facilities, the department of corrections, and the department of health and human services.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025
SB202 01:26:29.920 - 9:28:51 AM	Executive Session	relative to Alzheimer's disease and other related dementia training for first responders.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB192 01:10:26.679 - 9:12:48 AM	Executive Session	establishing a committee to study enhanced coordination between county correctional facilities, the department of corrections, and the department of health and human services.	Abbas, Daryl(R)[B-]2025
SB180 2025-049s 01:23:24.760 - 9:25:46 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) designating Coos county as a distressed place-based economy and requiring the department of environmental services to revise the rules for proposed new landfills.	Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025
SB186 01:28:02.960 - 9:30:24 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) preventing portraits depicting persons from being hung in certain places in the statehouse, unless the subject of the portrait has been dead for at least 10 years and provided exemplary and noteworthy services to the citizens of this state.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[B]2025
SB185 485s 01:31:09.080 - 9:33:31 AM	Executive Session	relative to office of professional licensure and certification investigations.	Pearl, Howard (R)[B]2025
SB183 01:41:13.360 - 9:43:35 AM	General Working Session	relative to membership of the Pease development authority board of directors.	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025

SB182: Representative Mary Hacken Phillips, Grafton 12, representing the communities of Hanover and Lyme Support00:00:38.280 - 8:03:00 AM; Representative Hacken Phillips introduced SB182 on behalf of Senator Prentice, the prime sponsor. The bill was requested by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to amend RSA 132:29 through RSA 132:31. The legislation aims to update and revise the maternal mortality review process, including renaming the Maternal Mortality Review Panel to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC), revising the definition of pregnancy-associated death, specifying institutions administering the MMRC, making changes to committee membership, authorizing compensation for mileage, and securing access to protected data. She mentioned that the bill would have bipartisan support in the other chamber and that members of the Department of Health and Human Services were present to answer questions.
SB182: Abby Rogers, Legislative Liaison for the Division of Public Health Services Support00:03:22.200 - 8:05:44 AM; Abby Rogers expressed support for SB182, a department-requested bill sponsored by Senator Prentice. She highlighted that the bill provides minor revisions and clarifications to the existing statute governing the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC). These updates are intended to improve the functionality and critical work of the committee. She noted that the committee includes a multidisciplinary group of appointees and that the proposed changes would allow for further updates to administrative rules.
SB182: Erica Tenny, New and Child Health Section Administrator with the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Division of Public Health Support00:04:07.599 - 8:06:29 AM; Erica Tenny supported the bill and provided additional information about the MMRC's operations. She explained that the committee receives deidentified case narratives about maternal deaths, and members implement recommendations based on these reviews to inform clinical care, quality improvements, provider education, and policy interventions. She highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce maternal deaths due to substance use disorders, perinatal mental health conditions, cardiac issues, and other complications.
SB182: Committee Members Information Only00:08:43.039 - 8:11:05 AM; The committee discussed and voted on SB182. A motion to pass the bill was moved and seconded, with no further discussion. The bill was passed with a vote to move consent, and Senator R was designated to take the bill out.
SB95: Committee Members Information Only00:10:15.800 - 8:12:37 AM; The committee discussed and voted on SB95, which pertains to summer camp regulations. An amendment was presented and accepted as a committee amendment. The bill was moved to pass as amended, and a vote to move consent was taken. Senator Cy was designated to take the bill out.
SB189: Kristen Martino, Registrar and Director of Vital Records Support00:14:03.360 - 8:16:25 AM; Kristen Martino discussed the need to modernize and improve the process for filing fetal death reports. She explained that fetal death refers to a stillbirth meeting certain parameters and that New Hampshire follows the National Standard for reporting. She detailed the current manual process and proposed allowing hospitals with active maternity wards to file fetal death records electronically. This would improve efficiency, timeliness, and accuracy, and also streamline the issuance of burial transit permits and the creation of documents for parents.
SB189: Senator Prentice Support00:21:45.679 - 8:24:07 AM; Senator Prentice supported the bill, highlighting its aim to align the fetal death reporting process from paper to electronic. She noted the low impact due to the low number of fetal deaths annually and mentioned an upcoming amendment to remove unnecessary data points like social security numbers. The electronic process would benefit families, funeral directors, and streamline the system overall.
SB189: Funeral Director (unnamed) Information Only00:24:06.240 - 8:26:28 AM; A funeral director was present to answer specific questions related to the bill, indicating readiness to provide further information if needed.
SB189: Committee Members Information Only00:23:18.840 - 8:25:40 AM; The committee decided to hold off on voting for SB189 until an amendment being drafted at OLS is completed. This amendment would remove unnecessary data points and align the process further. No immediate action was taken on the bill.
SB190: Supren, State Senator from District 5 representing parts of Grafton, Sullivan, and Merrimack Counties including New London Support00:28:14.000 - 8:30:36 AM; Senator Supren introduced Senate Bill 190 at the request of the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill aims to change the quorum requirements for meetings of the State Health Assessment and Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) and the Commission on Interdisciplinary Primary Care Workforce to comply with RSA 91-A obligations. The SHIP advisory council, with 39 members, and the Primary Care Workforce commission, with 23 members, have struggled to achieve a quorum, which impacts their ability to plan and move forward. The proposed changes would allow for hybrid meetings with some members participating electronically while maintaining transparency and adherence to 91-A provisions. Senator Supren emphasized the importance of these groups in improving public health in New Hampshire and addressing issues like diabetes, heart disease, and emergency preparedness.
SB190: Abby Rogers, Legislative Liaison for the Division of Public Health Services Support00:32:05.039 - 8:34:27 AM; Abby Rogers thanked Senator Supren for sponsoring the bill on behalf of the Division of Public Health Services. She highlighted the importance of the Interdisciplinary Primary Care Workforce and the SHIP Council in addressing healthcare workforce issues and public health improvements in the state. Both groups have faced challenges in meeting quorum requirements, and the bill would help increase their functionality.
SB190: Whitney Hammond, Interim Deputy Director for the Division of Public Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services Support00:33:34.440 - 8:35:56 AM; Whitney Hammond provided context for the SHIP Council's large membership of 39, explaining that it was designed to have broad representation to address social needs related to health. The council meets monthly, except in the summer, and typically has enough in-person attendance to meet the proposed quorum requirements. Virtual participation has been good, and the bill would help the council be more effective in fulfilling its statutory charge.
SB190: Ed Shala, Co-Chair of the SHIP, from the North Country Support00:35:48.720 - 8:38:10 AM; Ed Shala, who co-chairs the SHIP, emphasized the importance of the bill in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the SHIP while maintaining transparency and adherence to governance standards. He shared his experience of bringing the SHIP's goals to a hyperlocal level in the North Country and integrating it into the strategic plan of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, which serves 26 towns.
SB190: Committee Members Information Only00:38:06.960 - 8:40:28 AM; The committee moved to go into an executive session to discuss Senate Bill 190. There were no amendments proposed, and the committee was satisfied that the bill met the requirements of RSA 91-A. The committee voted to pass the bill without opposition.
SB202: Supren, State Senator from District 5 representing parts of Grafton, Sullivan, and Merrimack Counties including New London Support00:43:42.520 - 8:46:04 AM; Senator Supren introduced Senate Bill 202, which aims to raise awareness and improve the approach to Alzheimer's patients and their care by EMS professionals within the existing system. The senator highlighted the work done to refine the bill to ensure it can make a significant difference in Alzheimer's care.
SB202: Jenny Horan, Senior Public Policy Manager for the Alzheimer's Association in New Hampshire Information Only00:45:16.280 - 8:47:38 AM; Jenny Horan expressed gratitude towards Sen. Apprentice for their collaboration on the legislation. She discussed the amendment to the original bill, which still included methodology that needed to be struck out. Horan highlighted the need for a minimum of one hour of education for EMS professionals annually, as proposed by the Alzheimer's Association. She noted that while the Association has successfully passed similar legislation in other states, New Hampshire's existing infrastructure under RSA 153a already addresses such educational requirements. Horan suggested using the current system, including the Medical Control Board and the Coordinating Board, rather than mandating new legislation. She proposed amending RSA 153a and RSA 126a to include an EMS seat on the Alzheimer's Disease Subcommittee, enhancing collaboration and awareness within the EMS community about Alzheimer's disease.
SB202: Megan Wentworth, Dover, New Hampshire Support00:55:45.359 - 8:58:07 AM; Megan Wentworth testified in support of Senate Bill 202, emphasizing her experience in dementia care since 2009. She discussed the challenges of managing various behaviors and communication styles in memory care units and the importance of training to deescalate situations. Wentworth shared instances where EMS interactions with Alzheimer's patients were not optimal due to a lack of training, which could lead to increased distress and confusion. She advocated for increased collaboration with the EMS community to provide them with necessary tools and training to handle interactions with Alzheimer's patients effectively, thus supporting the bill to ensure better care and reduce distress for vulnerable populations.
SB192: Senator Daryl Abbis, District 22 Support01:00:11.680 - 9:02:33 AM; Senator Daryl Abbis introduced Senate Bill 192, which aims to establish a study committee to improve coordination between departments such as parole, probation, DHHS, and correctional facilities. He emphasized the importance of sharing information to develop better plans for individuals, using an example from his private practice where untreated PTSD led to continuous drug test failures. Abbis argued that the lack of information sharing leads to inefficiencies and increased costs, and he supports the formal structure of a study committee to address these issues effectively.
SB192: Aaron Thorvilson, Council of State Governments Justice Center Support01:05:00.680 - 9:07:22 AM; Aaron Thorvilson from the Council of State Governments Justice Center spoke in support of Senate Bill 192. He highlighted the organization's work in New Hampshire since 2021, focusing on policy recommendations for individuals cycling between the criminal justice system and health services. Thorvilson explained that the bill's study committee would help implement strategies for a cross-justice system identification number, a unified client information system, and real-time data dashboards. These measures are essential for improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals by ensuring continuity of care and enhancing data-driven decision-making.
SB202: Committee Support01:26:29.920 - 9:28:51 AM; The committee moved to pass Senate Bill 202 without opposition, indicating unanimous support for the bill.
SB192: Committee Support01:10:26.679 - 9:12:48 AM; The committee discussed Senate Bill 192 and moved to pass it as an ought to pass motion with a second, indicating support for the establishment of the study committee to improve coordination between departments. The motion was passed with no opposition, and it was moved to consent.
SB180 2025-049s: Committee Support01:23:24.760 - 9:25:46 AM; The committee reviewed and moved to pass Senate Bill 180 with amendment 2025-049s. The amendment was intended to clarify language and avoid unnecessary burdens on the regional economy. The committee voted to pass the bill as amended, with three in favor and one opposed, and it was moved to consent.
SB186: Committee Support01:28:02.960 - 9:30:24 AM; The committee discussed Senate Bill 186, which relates to the New Hampshire Office of Film and Creative Media. The bill was moved to pass, with a second, and the committee expressed intrigue about the potential impact of the film industry in New Hampshire. The bill was passed unanimously and moved to consent.
SB185 485s: Committee Support01:31:09.080 - 9:33:31 AM; The committee discussed Senate Bill 185, which addresses issues with the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). An amendment, 485s, was introduced to adjust timelines and address the backlog of cases. The committee moved to pass the bill as amended, acknowledging the challenges faced by OPLC and the need for a workable solution. The amendment was passed with a committee amendment to correct a mistake in the original amendment. The bill as amended was passed unanimously and moved to consent.
SB183: Committee Information Only01:41:13.360 - 9:43:35 AM; The committee discussed a draft amendment to Senate Bill 183 regarding the Pease Development Authority. The proposed amendment aimed to maintain the size of the board while expanding local representation by including Hampton and Rye alongside Greenland and Newington in the selection of one local member. Additionally, it proposed adding two more seats to the Ports and Harbors Advisory Council to increase representation from these communities. The amendment was presented as a compromise and was still under discussion with Senator Altschiller and the affected communities.