HB1215 Relative to supporting the preferred method of communication of an individual with a communication disability and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.
Relative to supporting the preferred method of communication of an individual with a communication disability and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
May modestly increase costs for schools and service providers to accommodate communication methods and training, but prevents potentially unnecessary or costly transfers driven by hospital affiliation rather than medical need.
Your Community
Strengthens community hospitals by preventing exclusive transfer arrangements that could redirect patients away from them, and improves school and residential services for people with communication disabilities.
Your Freedom
Expands individual autonomy by guaranteeing people with communication disabilities can use their preferred communication methods and ensuring patients retain choice in hospital transfers rather than being directed solely by facility ownership.
Status
Conference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; Senate Journal 14
Sponsor
Jim Kofalt (R)
The Short Version
This bill establishes two separate protections: (1) individuals with communication disabilities can use their preferred communication methods (AAC devices, sign language, typing, etc.) when receiving state services, and schools/providers must accommodate this; (2) freestanding emergency facilities cannot coerce patients into transfers to affiliated hospitals and must inform patients of clinically appropriate alternatives. Both provisions aim to protect patient autonomy and safety.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Individuals with communication disabilities receiving state developmental disability services
- ▲ Students with communication disabilities in schools
- ▲ Emergency patients at freestanding facilities who can now receive information about alternative hospitals
- ▲ Community and non-affiliated hospitals that previously lost patients due to coercive transfer practices
- ▲ Emergency medical services providers not affiliated with parent hospitals
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Schools, residential programs, and service providers must allocate resources to accommodate preferred communication methods and provide staff training
- ▼ Freestanding hospital emergency facilities lose ability to automatically direct transfers to parent hospitals based on affiliation
- ▼ Parent hospitals that previously benefited from exclusive transfer arrangements
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.