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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.

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

Hearings

  • 2025-02-199:00 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearing
  • 2025-03-1211:00 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearingrescheduled

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.