HB192: abolishing fluoridation in water.

HB 192-FN-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED

2019 SESSION

19-0168

01/08

HOUSE BILL 192-FN-LOCAL

AN ACT abolishing fluoridation in water.

SPONSORS: Rep. Marple, Merr. 24; Rep. Howard, Belk. 8

COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development

ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits the introduction of fluoride into the drinking water of the state.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19-0168

01/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

AN ACT abolishing fluoridation in water.

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

1 Use of Fluoride. Amend RSA 485:14, I to read as follows:

I. No fluoride, or any chemical containing fluoride, shall be introduced into a public water [system unless and until the municipality or municipalities served by such system have each held a public hearing as to the introduction of fluoride into the public water system, and the registered voters of such municipality or municipalities have approved such action pursuant to RSA 44:16, RSA 31:17-a, RSA 52:23, or RSA 485:14-a. For purposes of this section "municipality" means a municipality that has 100 or more user connections that are served from the public water] system.

2 Repeal. The following are repealed:

I. RSA 31:17-a, relative to referendum on public water supply.

II. RSA 44:16, relative to public water supplies.

III. RSA 52:23, relative to public water in village districts.

IV. RSA 485:14-a, relative to referendum for public water systems serving more than one political subdivision.

V. RSA 485:14-b, relative to a fluoride statement.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.

LBAO

19-0168

11/2/18

HB 192-FN-LOCAL- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT abolishing fluoridation in water.

FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2023

Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Expenditures

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Funding Source:

[ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other - Federal Funds

LOCAL:

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Expenditures

Indeterminable Decrease

Indeterminable Decrease

Indeterminable Decrease

Indeterminable Decrease

METHODOLOGY:

This bill would prohibit the introduction of fluoride or any chemical containing fluoride into drinking water in New Hampshire effective on January 1, 2019. The Department of Environmental Services (DES) indicates there are currently 10 municipalities, serving 289,300 people, adding fluoride to their drinking water in accordance with existing law. The bill would only impact existing fluoridation programs as the DES is not aware of any municipalities currently pursuing fluoridation. DES regulates public water systems and coordinates with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure fluoridation is done properly and in accordance with levels established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Staff time at the DES related to fluoridation is estimated to be 2 hours per month for existing staff to review month reports from water systems and provide occasional technical assistance. Based on average annual cost per person for fluoridation of $1.75 (from CDC data), the DES estimates the annual impact to the 10 municipal water systems would be decreased expenditures of $506,275 (289,300 people X $1.75 per person cost). There would be no water system impacts to the counties because there are no county water systems adding fluoride.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) indicates, according to current medical and dental practice and recommendation, systematic fluoridation is considered a best practice for the prevention of tooth decay and infection for children ages 0-12 years, and administration of fluoride at this age period helps prevent dental problems later in life. The DHHS assumes if this legislation passes and the municipal water systems stopped fluoridation, some of the children in those communities would receive prescriptions for fluoride supplements. There are approximately 23,135 children in the Medicaid program residing in the communities with fluoridated water. The average Medicaid cost for a 30-day supply of fluoride supplements is $6.28. If one-half of the eligible children access fluoride supplements the annual cost would be $871,764 (11,568 children X $6.28/ month X 12 months). The Department is not able to determine the additional costs related to hospitalization or medical treatment for dental decay, pain or infections, or the long-term costs associated with additional dental care for fillings and extractions. Any increased Medicaid costs associated with this bill would be split between the State General Fund and Federal Funds.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Departments of Health and Human Services and Environmental Services