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SB549 • 2026

(New Title) requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

(New Title) requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Keith Murphy (R), Kevin Avard (R), Tim McGough (R), Howard Pearl (r), Bill Gannon (R), Daniel Innis (R), Ruth Ward (R), Victoria Sullivan (R), Regina Birdsell (R), Timothy Lang (R)
Last action
2026-05-29
Official status
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

(New Title) requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

(New Title) requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

What This Bill Does

  • (New Title) requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-29 S

    Signed by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 106; Effective 08/26/2026

  2. 2026-05-18 H

    Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13

  3. 2026-05-18 S

    Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13

  4. 2026-04-23 H

    Ought to Pass : MA DV 186-152 04/23/2026 HJ 11

  5. 2026-04-23 H

    Referred to Finance 04/23/2026 HJ 11

  6. 2026-04-23 H

    Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 04/23/2026 HJ 11

  7. 2026-04-15 H

    Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 04/15/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC)

  8. 2026-04-15 H

    Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate

  9. 2026-04-07 H

    Executive Session: 04/15/2026 10:00 am GP 158

  10. 2026-03-18 H

    Public Hearing: 03/25/2026 02:00 pm GP 158

  11. 2026-03-16 H

    Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 8 P. 114

  12. 2026-03-12 S

    Committee Amendment #2026-1040s , AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

  13. 2026-03-12 S

    Sen. Murphy Floor Amendment #2026-1162s , AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

  14. 2026-03-12 S

    Ought to Pass with Amendment s #2026-1040s and #2026-1162s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

  15. 2026-03-04 S

    Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1040s , 03/12/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 9

  16. 2026-01-28 S

    Hearing: 02/04/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:15 am; SC 4

  17. 2025-11-24 S

    Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1

Official Summary Text

(New Title) requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
CHAPTER 106
SB 549-FN - FINAL VERSION

03/12/2026 1040s
03/12/2026 1162s
2026 SESSION
26-2141
09/05

SENATE BILL
549-FN

AN ACT
requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

SPONSORS: Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill requires certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creates reporting requirements for such entities.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.
03/12/2026 1040s
03/12/2026 1162s 26-2141
09/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT
requiring certain syringe service program entities to provide options for disposal of used syringes and needles and creating reporting requirements for such entities.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

106:1 New Paragraph; Pharmacists and Pharmacies; Regulation of Pharmacies; Syringe Service Programs; Authorized Activities and Funding Sources. Amend RSA 318:43-a by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
II-a.(a) Any entity operating a syringe service program in New Hampshire that involves the provision of sterile needles and syringes shall provide options for the disposal of used syringes, needles, and other related paraphernalia. Such options shall be free to the public.
(b) Any organization required to provide options for the disposal of used syringes, needles, and other related paraphernalia shall undertake an annual marketing campaign to inform participants of free disposal options.
(c) At the time of a quarterly report, each entity operating a syringe service program in New Hampshire shall report to the department whether they are required to provide options for disposal as outlined in this paragraph and, if so, shall demonstrate their compliance.
(d) At the time of a quarterly report, each entity operating a syringe service program in New Hampshire shall report to the department calculated return rates. In addition to calculated return rates, each program shall provide a description of methods used in syringe counting or estimation; separation of returns from direct participant exchange versus secondary/community sources; and a narrative of factors affecting performance and improvement efforts. Strengthening syringe services programs (SSPs) shall seek to achieve and maintain a return rate of 95 percent or higher in each calendar quarter. The department shall assess performance over rolling 4-quarter periods. A return rate may exceed 100 percent. If an SSP reports a return rate below 95 percent for 2 consecutive quarters, it must submit a corrective action plan within 30 days. The plan shall include strategies to increase return rate, such as enhanced drop box access, peer outreach, incentives, or community partnerships; a timeline with measurable targets; and a statement of resource or technical needs. Upon request, the department shall provide support, including guidance on data gathering and best practices. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A establishing a schedule of fines for failure to file required reports or implement corrective action plans.
(e) No municipality shall adopt any local ordinance or other rule to prohibit any activity authorized by this paragraph.

106:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 90 days after its passage.

Approved: May 28, 2026
Effective Date: August 26, 2026