Bill > HB701

This bill expands healthcare options for patients with life-threatening diseases by introducing new provisions to New Hampshire law that allow patients to try experimental treatments through two key mechanisms: telehealth prescreening and remote signing. The bill defines "telehealth prescreening" as a remote, real-time discussion to determine a patient's eligibility for clinical trials or experimental treatments, and "remote signing" as the ability to provide informed consent electronically, even with a notary public witnessing the document. Importantly, the bill provides legal immunity to healthcare providers, manufacturers, and facilities involved in providing these experimental treatments, as long as they have obtained informed consent and have not engaged in willful misconduct. The legislation also creates a new legal pathway for patients to petition the superior court for injunctive relief if their right to try these treatments is violated by regulatory or law enforcement authorities. The bill's broader purpose is to make New Hampshire an attractive jurisdiction for clinical trials and the development of drugs and treatments for life-threatening conditions, with the new provisions set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The bill does not require additional funding and is primarily designed to expand patient treatment options and provide legal protections for healthcare providers offering experimental treatments.

Health and Social Services

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0560&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB701