The New Hampshire Senate again shot down an annual effort to change the process by which New Hampshire families can get religious exemptions for vaccine requirements.

State law requires children to be vaccinated against polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, mumps, pertussis, rubella, rubeola, varicella, diphtheria, and Haemophilus influenzae type B before entering school or childcare.

However, there are exemptions for families with religious objections or people who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons. The process for obtaining a religious exemption involves parents completing a form issued by the state Department of Health and Human Services. In recent years, several conservative lawmakers have taken issue with that form.

House Bill 1022, sponsored by Rep. Matt Drew, R-Manchester, sought to have New Hampshire use a new form that simply states: “I, [insert parent or legal guardian’s name], hereby attest that I sincerely hold religious beliefs and/or engage in religious practices or observances that dictate the refusal to accept the required vaccinations for [insert child’s name], born [insert child’s date of birth]. [Insert parent or legal guardian’s signature and date.]”

The Senate rejected the bill on Thursday — the latest in a series of setbacks for the lawmakers behind it.

Last year, a similar bill (House Bill 358) sought to specify that “the exemption shall require no more information than a written statement that the child has not been immunized because of religious belief … and a signature by the parent or legal guardian.” Both chambers passed it, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed the bill, writing in her veto message that “the State already has an established process by which parents can claim a religious exemption, and I see no reason to change it.”

HB 1022 wasn’t the only legislation seeking to change the exemption process in 2026. As introduced, House Bill 1584, sponsored by Rep. Kelley Potenza, R-Rochester, would’ve eliminated forms altogether. The bill, among other things, would’ve established in state law that parents aren’t required to use any specific form, but rather (similar to last year’s bill) “may provide any written statement attesting to the religious exemption.” It would also have required DHHS to better inform parents about the exemptions when promoting vaccines.

However, the Senate amended the bill and approved it on Thursday, leaving only provisions for informing parents of exemptions when vaccines are promoted, as well as a couple of new additions. The unrelated amendments seek to require pharmacies to inform patients of the lowest available price for their prescription medications and to appropriate revenue from the state’s tobacco tax and liquor license fees to increase the income eligibility rates for families applying for the childcare assistance scholarship program. These amendments may be used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the House in the coming weeks.

Because HB 1584 was amended by the Senate, it now returns to the House for lawmakers to review the amendments. The House can concur, accepting the bill as is; reject it outright; or request a conference committee. During the conference committee process, House and Senate negotiators would seek a compromise on a final version of the bill.