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Committee hears debate over bill requiring DHHS to disclose medical and religious immunization exemptions
Summary
Representative Kelly Potenza introduced HB1584 to require the Department of Health and Human Services to prominently state that medical and religious exemptions are available and to permit any signed written statement as a religious exemption; DHHS and professional witnesses warned the bill is overly broad and could impose punitive penalties on employees.
Representative Kelly Potenza, prime sponsor of HB1584, told the House Committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs the bill is about “truthful disclosure, statutory clarity and respect for rights that already exist in New Hampshire law.” The bill would require DHHS to conspicuously note that medical and religious exemptions from school and child‑care immunization requirements are available and would clarify that parents are not required to use a state‑created form to claim a religious exemption.
Why it matters: Potenza said the measure aims to make exemption information prominent in materials directed at parents and the public so people are not misled or feel pressured. “Transparency builds trust,” she said during her opening remarks, arguing that…
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