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HB 159 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Mental health reporting for gun checks

AI-generated

(New Title) authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for voluntary surrender of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities.

Authorizes New Hampshire courts and the department of safety to report certain mental health adjudications to the national firearms background check system and establishes a process for relief from resulting firearm possession disqualifications.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 13, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes, and provides processes for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The department of safety may become the point of contact for the federal government for the purposes of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).”
RSA 159-D:1
“This chapter shall be known as “Bradley’s Law” in honor of retired Police Chief Bradley Haas who was shot and killed while defending the lives and safety of the patients and staff of the New Hampshire Hospital.”
RSA 159-G:1
“When a person is found not guilty by reason of insanity, or incompetent to stand trial and found by the court to be a danger to himself or herself or others pursuant to RSA 135-E or 135:17-a, as provided in this section, the department of safety shall promptly cause that disposition to be entered in the NICS Indices, in accordance with paragraph II.”
RSA 159-G:3
“No additional inquiry into firearm ownership or dangerousness beyond the commitment finding shall be required.”
RSA 159-G:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Terry RoyRPrimeChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Jennifer MandelbaumDClerk· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Rep. Richard LascellesR

Public testimony

407 signed in online · 179 wrote testimony

39% support61% oppose0% neutral

ForCloses a gap in national background check reporting

AgainstConfiscation without due process infringes Second Amendment

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is a reasonable, common sense bi-partisan bill that will save lives.”
— LENA NIRK, GILFORDsupports
“As only those deemed a danger to themselves or others can be involuntarily committed to a mental health facility, I believe this would be similar to someone who had once been denied bail. Selling them a deadly weapon endangered the public.”
— Robin Schnell, Portsmouthsupports
“Dear Committee Members, We need to do everything possible to end gun violence. I know so many parents who live with the anxiety of sending their children to school each day and wonder if they will be safe. Background checks are so important in protecting the public.…”
— KRISTYNE GROVES, DUNBARTONsupports
“I am opposed to this red flag bill because I feel it might be abused and might discourage people who are experiencing temporary stressful situations from seeking the help they need.”
— Mary Murphy, Francestown · Hillsborough District 27opposes
“I oppose this bill. Try solving the real problem instead of creating a gun control bill that only targets gun owners and does NOTHING about mental health.”
— Nicole Poulin, Nashuaopposes
“"....shall bot be infringed." 2nd Amendment to Our Bill of Rights. Criminals obtain firearms ILLEGALLY. Without privacy and private property there is no Liberty.…”
— Mr Martin, Merrimackopposes
“The opportunity here is to not increasing spending. I understand the issue, but the State should not be spending any new revenue to implement this.”
— Gordon Springate, wiltonneutral

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 26, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0487h (NT)10–6
    Overall
    63% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0487hadopted
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0930hadopted
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseDivisionLay HB159 on Table (Rep. Osborne)Adopted193–187
    Overall
    51% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseDivisionRemove from Table (Rep. Lascelles)Failed174–198
    Overall
    47% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 7, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety6:10:05–6:19:569m 51slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Feb 26, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0487h (NT) — roll call; ==CONTINUED== Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floor39:40–53:2713m 47slocated in the stream transcriptAmendment # 2025-0487h (NT) — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0930h (NT) — adopted, voice vote; Lay HB159 on Table (Rep. Osborne) — adopted, division 193-187
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDied on Table, Session ended

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 2 P. 8
  2. Feb 7, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/07/2025 03:15 pm LOB 202-204
  3. Feb 21, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/21/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Feb 26, 2025House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/26/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  5. Feb 26, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0487h (NT) 02/26/2025 (Vote 10-6; RC)
  6. Mar 4, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0487h (NT): AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 24
  8. Mar 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0930h (NT): AA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 26
  9. Mar 13, 2025HouseLay HB159 on Table (Rep. Osborne): MA DV 193-187 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 28
  10. Mar 13, 2025HouseRemove from Table (Rep. Lascelles): MF DV 174-198 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 47
  11. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 19

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.