This week, Gov. Ayotte signed into law HB 701, a critical right-to-try expansion bill aimed at making New Hampshire the leading legal jurisdiction in the nation for dying patients seeking access to promising experimental treatments.
Named the “John Lewicke and Michael Yakubovich Right to Try Act” after two state legislators who are fighting life-threatening illness, HB 701 will bring several cutting-edge reforms to the Granite State.
The new law will allow terminally ill patients to consent to a strong limitation on civil liability—including in clinical trials—that will help them actually gain access to experimental treatments that could save their lives.
Additionally, HB 701 will permit providers who are physically present in New Hampshire to conduct remote pre-screenings of out-of-state patients seeking right-to-try treatment here, saving patients the burden of interstate travel.
Thanks to the new law, New Hampshire will now be the only state to eliminate the phase 1 trial requirement for experimental therapies for the terminally ill.
With this new law, the Granite State is poised to attract patients, innovators, and biotech businesses from across the region and beyond. By making New Hampshire a hub of biotechnology innovation, we can fully leverage the New Hampshire advantage, unleash a flourishing industry in the state, and help to save lives here and across the country.
Cornerstone thanks Gov. Kelly Ayotte for signing HB 701. This significant legislation makes our state first in the nation for making available emerging treatments, providing critical hope and help for the dying. We encourage you to thank Gov. Ayotte here for signing this vital legislation. You can contact her here.
We also thank the lawmakers and individuals who have worked tirelessly to advance this legislation to the Governor’s desk, including: Rep. Lisa Mazur, Rep. Erica Layon, Rep. Steven Kesselring, Rep. Wayne MacDonald, Councilor John Stephen, Dr. Bess Stillman, and former state representatives John Lewicke and Michael Yakubovich.
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