HB1071 Repealing immunity afforded health care facilities when following directives adopted in response to the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Repealing immunity afforded health care facilities when following directives adopted in response to the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Harmful
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Healthcare facility litigation costs may increase and be passed to patients/insurers through higher premiums and care costs, though the financial magnitude depends on how many lawsuits result.
Your Community
Removal of litigation protections could discourage healthcare facilities from complying with future emergency directives or reduce their willingness to provide services during crises, potentially affecting access to emergency care.
Your Freedom
Residents gain the ability to sue healthcare facilities for pandemic-era actions, expanding legal recourse, though the bill's actual impact on individual freedoms depends on which specific directives are later challenged.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate, Motion Adopted, Voice Vote === BILL KILLED ===; 05/14/2026; Senate Journal 12
Sponsor
Tom Mannion (R)
The Short Version
This bill repeals legal immunity that protected healthcare facilities from lawsuits when they followed COVID-19 emergency directives from the state. Starting after passage, healthcare facilities can be sued for actions taken during the pandemic in compliance with those directives, though those who complied before the law takes effect retain their immunity.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Individuals who believe they were harmed by healthcare facility compliance with COVID-19 emergency directives and wish to pursue litigation
- ▲ Trial lawyers who may bring such suits
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Healthcare facilities and their insurers facing new litigation exposure for past compliance with state directives
- ▼ Potentially healthcare workers and patients through higher care costs if facilities increase expenses to cover legal liability
- ▼ Healthcare system capacity if litigation discourages facility compliance with future emergency orders
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.