Prohibits most healthcare providers from discriminating against patients based on vaccination status

State: NH
Bill Number: HB 1003
Position: SUPPORT
Action Required: Ask Governor to sign HB 1003
Status: Enacted, Chapter 52, effective on 5/20/2022

Legislation Details:

UPDATE: 5/20/2022 - HB 1003 signed by the governor and effective. The final version of the bill states that patients "shall not be denied admission, care, or services based solely on the patient's vaccination status." However, the section where this language is now placed means that the bill does not apply to home health care providers: RSA 151:21 - Residential Care and Health Facility Licensing - Patients' Bill of Rights.

UPDATE: 4/21/2022 - HB 1003 passed the Senate. 

UPDATE:  4/14/2022 - HB 1003 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in a 5-0 vote

UPDATE: 3/17/2022 - HB 1003 is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, March 23rd at 9:45 AM in State House Room 100. Agenda - https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/schedule/eventDetails.aspx?event=7197&et=1

UPDATE: 3/11/2022 - HB 1003 passed the House. 

UPDATE: 2/25/2022 - HB 1003 passed the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee with an amendment. The bill now states that patients "shall not be denied admission, care, or services based solely on the patient's vaccination status." However, the section where this language is now placed means that the bill does not apply to home health care providers: RSA 151:21 - Residential Care and Health Facility Licensing - Patients' Bill of Rights.

Because of this change, NVIC Advocacy has changed the title of this bill from "Prohibits healthcare providers from discriminating against patients based on vaccination status" to "Prohibits most healthcare providers from discriminating against patients based on vaccination status."

The intentions behind this bill are good. However, the amended version of the bill excludes patients receiving home health care. 

NVIC Advocacy does not support making any form of health care contingent upon vaccination. While there is no guarantee that a patient receiving home health care will be denied care over vaccination status, the potential is definitely there under the amended version of this bill. We suggest that this loophole is fixed.

UPDATE:  1/20/2022 - HB 1003 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 1st at 1:00 PM in Legislative Office Building Room 210-211.

HB 1003 was prefiled on 10/29/2021 to be introduced on 1/5/2022 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee. This bill is sponsored by Representative Cushman.

HB 1003 prohibits healthcare providers from discriminating against patients based on whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated, stating:

"No health care provider licensed or registered to provide services in this state may refuse to provide care or services based on a patient's vaccination status."

https://gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2209&sy=2022&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2022&txtbillnumber=hb1003 - text, status, and history for HB 1003.