Committee Summary for Senate Health and Human Services (03/25/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB661 House amendment 00:03:34.752 - 8:02:41 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments, supplemental security income payments, and veterans benefits for children in foster care.	Wallner, Mary Jane(D)[F]2025
HB1566 00:51:19.320 - 8:50:26 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) directing the department of health and human services to seek clarification from the Administration for Children and Families regarding the use of TANF reserve funds and repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.	Wallner, Mary Jane(D)[F]2025
HB1515 01:18:00.000 - 9:17:07 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.	Turcotte, Len(R)[B]2025
HB1771 01:23:00.000 - 9:22:07 AM	Public Hearing	removing prospective repeal of child care staffing ratios and the associated waiver system and requiring the department of health and human services to provide certain notice regarding availability of the waiver.	Peternel, Katy(R)[A]2025
HB1771 01:27:00.000 - 9:26:07 AM	Executive Session	removing prospective repeal of child care staffing ratios and the associated waiver system and requiring the department of health and human services to provide certain notice regarding availability of the waiver.	Peternel, Katy(R)[A]2025
HB1772 01:28:00.000 - 9:27:07 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to prescribing ibogaine for investigational use only.	Moffett, Michael(R)[B+]2025
HB1515 01:55:00.000 - 9:54:07 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.	Turcotte, Len(R)[B]2025

HB661 House amendment: Mary Jane Walner, Representative from Concord Support00:03:34.752 - 8:02:41 AM; Representative Walner introduces HB 661, explaining its origins from concerns about states taking children's Social Security payments in foster care. She details the bill's journey, including a prior version (HB 1598) that led to a consultant report for DHHS on preserving funds for aging-out children. The bill phases in implementation starting June 2027 to July 2028, with major fiscal impacts in the next budget cycle. She provides an implementation timeline and notes the bill affects about 200-250 of 1,500 foster children receiving Social Security due to disability, parental disability, or death. Walner shares the story of Dawson Hayes, reading his letter about losing $16,132 in benefits to DCYF, emphasizing the need to save funds to prevent homelessness and support education or business starts. She highlights federal encouragement for policy changes and provides supporting documents.
HB661 House amendment: Maureen Mooney, Representative from Merrimack Support00:12:00.000 - 8:11:07 AM; Representative Mooney, a co-sponsor and chair/vice-chair of House Finance Division 3, supports HB 661, noting the hard work to make it manageable. Of about 1,500 foster children, 250 receive federal benefits currently used for care, but the bill would save them in separate accounts for post-foster life. She mentions the bill's history, including interim study, and recent federal developments like a presidential executive order and letters from federal officials urging states to preserve benefits. The bill clarifies payee appointments, encourages seeking federal funds, and limits retroactive claims. Mooney urges an 'ought to pass' recommendation.
HB661 House amendment: Frank DeSimone, Representative Support00:18:34.752 - 8:17:41 AM; Representative DeSimone supports HB 661, referencing a prior foster care special committee appointed by Speaker Packard to address issues like homelessness upon aging out at 18. The committee recommended extending stays with foster parents for education and examined Social Security benefits for 250 children, arguing the state should not charge them as it does not for others. Preserving funds would allow purchases like cars or apartments, enabling productive lives. He praises the research and New Hampshire's ability to care for its children effectively.
HB661 House amendment: Susan Labarbie and Nathan White, DHHS Information Only00:25:00.000 - 8:24:07 AM; Susan Labarbie, General Counsel and Legislative Liaison for DCYF, and Nathan White, Chief Financial Officer for DHHS, provide information without taking a position. They acknowledge the bill's complexity involving SSI and RSDI, leading to a 2024 consultant report by PCG analyzing models from other states. The report details current processes, implementation needs, and costs: a one-time $461,000 implementation cost and ongoing $2.9 million general fund impact annually due to lost federal revenue. They note no additional federal funds are available yet, emphasize ensuring no negative service impacts, and respond to questions on applicability to group homes, current fund uses, hybrid models, conservation practices, and account protections. Anissa Drake adds details on current revolving funds and Social Security procedures.
HB661 House amendment: Stacey Phillips, from Manchester Support00:40:00.000 - 8:39:07 AM; Stacey Phillips, a former foster parent and current Social Security employee, strongly supports HB 661 with her daughter Mariah, whom she fostered and adopted. She describes Mariah's severe developmental delays and failure to thrive, noting DCYF never applied for deserved SSI benefits despite criteria being met, forcing Phillips to reduce work hours for care. She recounts fostering another child, Ryan, whose Social Security benefits were taken by the state; after aging out homeless, he faced overpayment demands from Social Security for funds the state received post-18. Phillips resolved it but highlights how many aging-out youth suffer credit damage and lack support without preserved funds.
HB1566: Representative Mary Jane Wallner Support00:51:19.320 - 8:50:26 AM; Representative Wallner introduces HB 1566, explaining its history from the 2024-25 budget where $15 million was appropriated for child care workforce grants using general funds, shifted to TANF in 2026-27 with a contingency for federal approval. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to seek further clarification on using TANF funds for recruitment and retention. She highlights the child care shortage, citing a 13% drop in licensed capacity from 2017-2024 and operation at 85% capacity due to staffing issues. Empty classrooms exist due to lack of staff, with an 8% workforce reduction in 2023-2024. Low wages ($16.62 median vs. $25.29 state median), lack of benefits, and gender pay gaps exacerbate the problem. She urges support to move the bill to Senate Finance.
HB1566: Brian Clark and Jotham Spreeman, DHHS Information Only00:58:00.000 - 8:57:07 AM; Brian Clark, General Counsel, and Jotham Spreeman, Administrator of Operations, for the Bureau of Child Development explain that HB 2 required requesting permission from ACF to use TANF for the workforce program. They received confirmation that only 30% transfer to CCDF is allowed, which is already done, and additional TANF requires meeting one of four statutory purposes, which was not approved despite multiple requests. They anticipate the same response to further inquiries.
HB1566: Jackie Cowell, Early Learning New Hampshire Support01:02:00.000 - 9:01:07 AM; Jackie Cowell supports keeping the funding alive, seeking accurate clarification on federal TANF use and considering general funds. She notes vague federal responses and past approvals. Distributes a letter urging continuation of $15 million grants, highlighting bipartisan support, unanimous votes in finance committees, economic costs of shortages (hundreds of millions), endorsements from BIA, Chambers of Commerce, and media. Shares letter from Lynn Willett of Nellie's Treehouse in Amherst on retention success (85% after grants).
HB1566: Tori, Early Childhood Educator Support01:06:19.320 - 9:05:26 AM; Tori emphasizes the vital role of early childhood education in developing social skills and foundational learning. She entered the field out of passion, not for high pay, but low wages and lack of benefits make it unsustainable without spousal support. As a type 1 diabetic, she relies on her husband's insurance. She advocates for pay reflecting the importance of educators as 'superheroes' providing life foundations.
HB1566: Executive Director, Merrimack Valley Daycare Service Support01:08:00.000 - 9:07:07 AM; The executive director supports Tori, noting she has been employed since 2010 with qualifications but earns no more than $20/hour without benefits. With 50 employees, retention is challenging due to better-paying, less stressful jobs. Grants supplement income to retain staff like Tori, enabling care for children while parents work. Losing three teachers recently impacted 24 children; for every educator retained, at least eight parents can work. Delaying funding risks further closures.
HB1566: Stacy Neville, Granite YMCA Support01:10:00.000 - 9:09:07 AM; Stacy Neville, on behalf of all NH YMCAs as the largest provider, shares personal experience overseeing five centers and 24 afterschool programs. Lost five staff last week to retail jobs due to financial needs despite passion. Communities from Portsmouth to Manchester seek solutions via organizations, but staffing shortages hinder operations; she fills ratios personally. Increasing family costs is unaffordable. Urges support for $15 million in any funding to stabilize and grow programs.
HB1566: Katie Brissett, Early Learning New Hampshire Support01:15:00.000 - 9:14:07 AM; Katie Brissett highlights a Save the Children poll showing 82% of Granite Staters support continuing $15 million workforce funds with taxpayer dollars. Reiterates follow-up on TANF use possibilities.
HB1515: Representative Maureen Mooney Support01:18:00.000 - 9:17:07 AM; Representative Mooney from Merrimack introduces HB 1515, which deletes a line from HB 2 (2025) requiring DHHS budget proposals to include child care workforce funding, carried from 2023. This avoids potential state liability for $15 million if federal funds fail, especially post-HB 1566 discussion. Passed House 170-153; same deletion in HB 1566 (25-0 finance, consent calendar). Having both highlights urgency and provides backup if 1566 fails. Attaches highlighted language; urges Ought to Pass.
HB1515: Brian Clark and Jotham Spreeman, DHHS Information Only01:20:00.000 - 9:19:07 AM; Brian Clark and Jotham Spreeman explain HB 1515 repeals the HB 2 requirement for DHHS to include child care workforce incentive program funding in budget proposals.
HB1515: Jackie Cowell, Early Learning New Hampshire Oppose01:21:19.320 - 9:20:26 AM; Jackie Cowell appreciates Rep. Mooney's past leadership but opposes HB 1515 as duplicative since the same deletion is in HB 1566. The budget request language from 2023-2025 did not mandate legislative approval, just departmental inclusion.
HB1771: Representative Katie Peternel Support01:23:00.000 - 9:22:07 AM; Representative Peternel from Wolfborough and Tuftonboro introduces HB 1771, repealing the sunset on a temporary waiver from HB 1407 (2024 special committee) allowing one or two more students per caregiver. Requires annual notice to providers. Only five applications in the last year (three granted, two withdrawn), low uptake possibly due to awareness. Sent interim report.
HB1771: Representative DeSimone Support01:25:00.000 - 9:24:07 AM; Representative DeSimone from Atkinson, vice chair of special committee, notes extensive research with zero complaints on the waiver. Facilities ensure safe ratios; repealing sunset allows provider decisions for proper legislation.
HB1771: Committee Vote01:27:00.000 - 9:26:07 AM; Motion to Ought to Pass HB 1771, seconded, unanimous aye, no opposition. Motion for consent calendar, seconded, unanimous aye, no opposition.
HB1772: Representative Mike Moffitt Support01:28:00.000 - 9:27:07 AM; Representative Moffitt from Canterbury and Loudon introduces amended HB 1772 to remove barriers for Ibogaine clinical trials. Learned of its promise via veterans task force; Ibogaine, from African shrub, psychoactive, used spiritually, shows results in PTSD, depression, anxiety (88%, 87%, 81% reductions in Stanford study of 30 veterans), TBI, substance abuse. Schedule I status forces treatment abroad (e.g., Mexico). Advocates like ex-Gov. Perry emphasize impact. Bill encourages FDA NDA, research; non-veteran applications too. References Right to Try law; signals state support for trials.
HB1772: Dr. Mindy Asbury Oppose01:36:19.320 - 9:35:26 AM; Dr. Melinda Asbury, chief medical officer and interim CEO at Monadnock Family Services, represents 10 CMHA chief medical/executive officers serving 54,000 with psychiatric/substance issues. Opposes emphatically: safety concerns (33+ deaths from cardiac arrhythmias, especially polysubstance users; stays in body 96 hours); vague 'health care prescriber' (podiatrist?); 'investigational use' loophole bypassing trials. 'Dirty drug' with low specificity risks psychosis, worsening mental health, suicidality. Not FDA-approved; unintended messaging of safety. Navy veteran herself. Suggests later with guardrails, after proven treatments.
HB1515: Committee Vote01:55:00.000 - 9:54:07 AM; Motion to Inexpedient to Legislate on HB 1515, seconded, unanimous aye, no opposition. Motion for consent calendar, seconded, unanimous aye, no opposition.

Rochefort, David(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Avard, Kevin(V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Birdsell, Regina(R)[B-]2025
Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025