Committee refers Avard-drafted right-to-try changes to interim study after failed passage

The Senate Health and Human Services committee considered an Avard-drafted amendment to House Bill 1735 that would add a ban on health-care providers receiving direct compensation from manufacturers for facilitating access to investigational drugs, and would exclude facilities owned by a designated 'foreign country of concern' as defined in RSA 47722B2.

Committee members debated the amendment’s language and policy implications. The amendment text was described on the floor as a replace-all change that adds a prohibition on direct compensation and inserts the RSA 47722B2 exclusion language. After committee consideration the amendment itself carried in committee, but a subsequent motion to pass the bill as amended failed on a 2–3 voice count.

Following that vote, a motion to refer House Bill 1735 to interim study passed 3–2. Supporters of interim study said the change warranted more examination, while opponents argued that amending a bill and relegating it immediately to study was inconsistent.

The committee recorded the House-drafted amendment reference and RSA citation on the record. The study referral means staff and members will have additional time over the interim to refine language, assess implementation questions and return with recommendations in a later session.

The committee then moved on to other items and adjourned for the day.