HB 58 - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0025
05/06
HOUSE BILL 58
SPONSORS: Rep. W. Thomas, Hills. 12; Rep. Levesque, Straf. 4; Rep. Seibert, Hills. 21; Rep. Vail, Hills. 6
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a committee to study legislative protections and accommodations for individuals with long COVID.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0025
05/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study legislative protections and accommodations for individuals with long COVID.
2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
3 Duties. The committee shall:
I. Consider whether given the complex and evolving nature of the condition, it is appropriate to establish a dedicated body to monitor and respond to new information and research regarding long COVID.
II. Review current labor, healthcare, and disability laws, determine whether such laws adequately address the unique needs of individuals with long COVID, and consider whether targeted legislation is necessary to ensure comprehensive protection.
III. Explore policy interventions to mitigate the economic and social impact of long COVID, including lost productivity and increased health care costs.
IV. Ensure that any legislative solutions take into consideration the fact that long COVID disproportionately affects certain populations, including those from marginalized communities who may already face barriers to health care and economic stability.
V. Determine how best to develop a coordinated approach to long COVID across multiple sectors, including health care, employment, education, and social services.
VI. Solicit information from the public and private sector, including but not limited to: medical and public health experts such as infectious disease specialists and epidemiologists, health care law specialists, disability rights advocates, long COVID patients and advocacy groups, economists and labor rights experts, social workers and mental health professionals, the department of health and human services, and public health offices.
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2025.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.