Relative to the collection of birth worksheet information.
Summary
SB 92 updates the state’s birth worksheet and vital records reporting rules. It changes one data field from “maiden name” to “name prior to first marriage or civil union,” adds a 10-minute Apgar score to the information collected for newborns, and directs the Division of Vital Records Administration to withhold certain personally identifiable information when sharing birth data with the CDC. The bill specifically bars release of the names of the mother, father, or baby; parents’ birth month and day; medical record numbers; and home or mailing address information, while still allowing release of the parents’ birth year and the baby’s birth date.
The bill is primarily a privacy and data-sharing measure, but it also affects how hospitals complete birth worksheets and how the state compiles and transmits birth records for public health reporting. It amends RSA 5-C:19 and takes effect June 30, 2026. By limiting the information that can be sent to the CDC, the bill could alter the state’s compliance with federal reporting expectations and the flow of federal vital records funding.
Overall sentiment appears mixed but cautious. The bill’s structure suggests support for protecting personal privacy in birth records, while the fiscal note and agency comments indicate concern about possible funding losses and reporting complications. There were no recorded floor votes or committee transcripts provided, so the available context comes mainly from the fiscal analysis and agency feedback rather than debate.
The main point of contention is the tradeoff between privacy and public health administration. The Department of State warned that reduced data sharing could jeopardize federal birth-related funding, potentially lowering support for vital records work. The Department of Health and Human Services also noted that losing key data elements could create conflicts with reporting requirements and affect maternal and child health programs and other public services. Supporters are not directly quoted in the provided materials, but the bill’s sponsors and language indicate an intent to reduce disclosure of sensitive personal information.
Impact
SB 92 amends RSA 5-C:19 governing vital records administration and the birth worksheet completed by hospitals. It changes the terminology for a parent’s prior surname, adds a 10-minute Apgar score to the required birth information, and restricts what the Division of Vital Records Administration may disclose to the CDC. The bill could affect state-federal data reporting practices, the Vital Records Improvement Fund, and the administration of public health programs that rely on birth statistics.
Sentiment
The available materials suggest a generally supportive but cautious sentiment centered on privacy protection. The bill appears aimed at limiting disclosure of sensitive personal information, but the fiscal note and agency comments raise concerns about possible reductions in federal funding and complications for reporting and public health administration. Because no committee transcript or vote record is provided, there is no direct evidence of opposition or support beyond the agencies’ cautionary remarks.
Contention
The main contention is whether the privacy benefits of withholding personally identifiable birth data outweigh the administrative and fiscal risks. The Department of State warned that the CDC could reduce birth-related funding if New Hampshire does not provide certain data, and the Department of Health and Human Services said missing data could create reporting conflicts and affect maternal and child health programs. The bill’s supporters are not quoted in the record provided, but the legislation itself reflects a policy choice to prioritize confidentiality in birth records over broader data sharing.