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Finance panel attaches patient bill of rights to DHHS vendor contracts; HB 71 passes 14-11
Summary
The House Finance Committee voted 14-11 on March 17 to pass House Bill 71 with an amendment that would add New Hampshire's patient bill of rights to the Department of Health and Human Services' vendor contract addendum.
CONCORD, N.H. — The House Finance Committee voted 14-11 on March 17 to pass House Bill 71 with an amendment that would require vendors contracting with the Department of Health and Human Services to include New Hampshire's patient bill of rights in the contract addendum.
Representative John Edwards introduced the amendment during the committee's public hearing, saying it adds the patient bill of rights "in the middle of that string of things that they would comply with." He said the change is intended for new contracts and amendments and will be placed on an automatic repeal schedule so the legislative mandate lasts only for the current budget cycle.
Supporters told the committee hospital officials had reviewed the language and did not object. John Williams, director of legislative affairs for the Department of Health and Human Services, told the panel department procurement staff and hospital representatives had worked with the sponsor to refine the language and recommended technical changes such as replacing the word "addenda" with "amendment." Williams said the department had asked for prospective application language and other clarifications and that the sponsor accepted those edits.
Opponents focused on the bill's fiscal note and the possibility the statute, as written, could put federal funding at risk. Representative Scott Stringham, speaking for a minority view, said the department had flagged a worst‑case loss of federal refugee and HUD funding and warned the committee that "this could cost...as much as $18,000,000 per year." Representative Susan Telerski said the bill's language and definitions were unclear and that sponsors had not appeared at division work sessions to answer questions.
Committee members who supported the motion said a close read of the amendment and federal definitions narrowed the scope of any fiscal exposure. Representative James Seaworth, who moved the motion to attach and pass the amendment, said the bill's targeting language — particularly the phrase that the law would apply when housing is provided "exclusively" to the specified group — makes the extreme fiscal scenario unlikely.
The amendment imposes the contract addendum requirement only for the current budget cycle and includes an automatic repeal provision (effective Nov. 30, 2026). Committee discussion reiterated the change would apply to new contracts or new amendments to existing contracts. Supporters said once contractual boilerplate includes the patient bill of rights, it is unlikely to be removed.
Votes at the committee: the motion to adopt the non‑germane amendment and pass HB 71 as amended carried 14‑11. Committee minutes show the amendment was designated 2025‑0555 (attached to HB 71). A minority report was filed.
The bill now moves to the House calendar as passed by the Finance Committee.
