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HB 620 · 2025 · House · Judiciary Committee

Religious freedom restoration act

AI-generated

relative to the exercise of the freedom of religion.

Enacts a religious freedom restoration act prohibiting government from substantially burdening religious exercise unless it furthers a compelling interest by the least restrictive means, and provides remedies for violations.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 27, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill enacts a religious freedom restoration act, prohibiting the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion unless it is in furtherance of a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering such interest. The bill further provides for remedies for violations of the act's provisions.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“"Demonstrates" shall mean meeting the burdens of going forward with the evidence and of persuasion.”
RSA 354-C:1
“The government shall not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except as provided in paragraph II of section.”
RSA 354-C:2
“A person whose religious exercise has been burdened in violation of this chapter may assert the violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and obtain appropriate relief against the government.”
RSA 354-C:3
“"Exercise of religion" shall mean any exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief, including, but not limited to, the practice or observance of religion under part 1, articles 4 and 5 of the New Hampshire constitution or the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.”
RSA 354-C:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerRPrime
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Ellen ReadDDeputy Ranking Member· Housing

Also: Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. James ThibaultR

Public testimony

62 signed in online · 15 wrote testimony

26% support73% oppose2% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support the Freedom of Religion as outlined in the Constitution of the United States .”
— Amanda Bradford, Gorhamsupports
“I support this bill, I admit the three page letter from American Atheists made me a little nervous, I am not at all familiar with RFRA.…”
— Margaret Konze, Pembrokesupports
“No. You already have religious freedoms provided to you. This is a sneak attack to get YOUR religion a free pass. Nope. Shut it down.”
— Jennifer Suitter, Merrimackopposes
“Religious beliefs are not under attack in this country or state. This bill is unnecessary and unnecessarily, tho deliberately I suspect, muddies the judicial waters.”
— Francis Oscadal, Lebanonopposes
“The freedom of religion rights granted in the US Constitution are sufficient. Freedom of religion is not under attack in NH and if it was the First Amendment provides the necessary protections and remedies.”
— Patricia Anastasia, Londonderryopposes
“The Office of the Child Advocate is neutral on HB620, but would just pose the question - is child welfare a "compelling State/government interest" that would be weighed in relation to religious freedom?…”
— Lissa Mascio, Concord · NH Office of the Child Advocateneutral

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
  • Mar 12, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Without Recommendation9–9
    Overall
    50% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025HouseDivisionLay HB620 on Table (Rep. Guzofski)Adopted290–72
    Overall
    80% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary4:46:22–4:53:467m 24slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:53:23–1:55:502m 27slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session; Committee Report: Without Recommendation — roll call
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateHouse floor6:17:08–6:23:055m 57slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB620 on Table (Rep. Guzofski) — adopted, division 290-72
  • 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 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 3 P. 19
  2. Feb 19, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/19/2025 01:45 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Mar 12, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/12/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 12, 2025House: Without Recommendation 03/12/2025 (Vote 9-9; RC) HC 17 P. 60
  5. Mar 27, 2025HouseLay HB620 on Table (Rep. Guzofski): MA DV 290-72 03/27/2025 HJ 11 P. 72
  6. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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