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New HampshireSB1462025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

SB146

Sponsored By: Suzanne M. Prentiss (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More clinicians can certify a death

When a death from natural causes occurs and the attending clinician is absent or approves, other listed clinicians can complete the medical certification. These include an associate physician, APRN in practice, or physician assistant; the clinical department chair; the hospital chief medical officer; the person who performed an autopsy or their designee; or the ER clinician on duty. The person who determines the cause of death must attest to its accuracy. The law removes the old rule that the certifier had to view the body within 24 hours.

New wait and paperwork for cremation

The law bars cremation within 48 hours after death. An exception applies when the death was from a contagious or infectious disease. In New Hampshire, a crematory cannot cremate until it has the burial permit and a medical examiner’s certificate saying no further exam or judicial inquiry is needed. If the body will be cremated out of state, it cannot be moved until a New Hampshire medical examiner completes that inquiry and issues the certificate. To get the medical examiner’s certificate, the crematory, funeral director, next of kin, or agent must present a copy of the death certificate and the burial permit or emergency burial permit to a medical examiner. For deaths that happened outside New Hampshire, reception and cremation follow rules set by the board after consulting the chief medical examiner. These changes take effect 60 days after the act is passed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Suzanne M. Prentiss

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Cindy Rosenwald

    Democratic • Senate

  • David H. Watters

    Democratic • Senate

  • Donovan Fenton

    Democratic • Senate

  • Pat Long

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

    Democratic • Senate

  • Regina Birdsell

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor on 06/10/2025; Chapter 0090; Effective 08/09/2025

    6/11/2025Senate

  2. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 15

    6/3/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled (in recess of) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 53

    6/3/2025House

  4. Ought to Pass: MA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 10

    5/1/2025House

  5. Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate

    4/16/2025House

  6. Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 04/09/2025 (Vote 10-6; RC) HC 22 P. 13

    4/16/2025House

  7. Executive Session: 04/09/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208

    4/16/2025House

  8. Public Hearing: 04/09/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208

    4/3/2025House

  9. Introduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 11 P. 111

    3/28/2025House

  10. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/20/2025; SJ 8

    3/20/2025Senate

  11. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/20/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 13

    3/12/2025Senate

  12. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/06/2025; SJ 6

    3/6/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/06/2025; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 11

    2/21/2025Senate

  14. Hearing: 02/11/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 9

    2/5/2025Senate

  15. ==CANCELLED== Hearing: 02/06/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 8

    2/5/2025Senate

  16. Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3

    1/22/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    6/3/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    1/22/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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