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HB 1070 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Ambulance transport for psychiatric evaluation

AI-generated

relative to the involuntary emergency admission process.

Authorizes ambulance transport of an individual for psychiatric evaluation to determine whether the individual should be hospitalized under an involuntary emergency admission petition.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill provides that an individual may be transported by ambulance for psychiatric evaluation to determine whether the individual should be hospitalized under an involuntary emergency admission petition.

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

“Any person taken into protective custody under this paragraph shall be transported directly to an emergency room of a licensed general hospital or to another site designated by the community mental health program serving the area, for the purpose of determining if an involuntary emergency admission shall be ordered in accordance with RSA 135-C:28, I.”
Section 1
“The period of protective custody shall end when a physician, PA, or APRN makes a determination as to whether involuntary emergency admission shall be ordered or at the end of 6 hours, whichever event occurs first.”
Section 1
“When a person is transported to the emergency room of a licensed general hospital or to another site designated by the community mental health program serving the area for a compulsory mental health evaluation under this section, the person shall be transported by ambulance and shall be subject to the care of an emergency medical technician.”
Section 1
“The individual's consent to transport by ambulance shall not be required; provided however, that if law enforcement deems the individual to be a safety risk to emergency medical personnel, the individual shall be transported by law enforcement.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Dennis MannionRPrimeVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Jennifer RhodesRVice Chair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Also: Rep. Mike BordesR, Rep. Matthew CokerR, Rep. Charles FooteR, Rep. Mark ProulxR, Rep. Jeffrey TenczarR

Public testimony

25 signed in online · 9 wrote testimony

56% support40% oppose4% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am in support of HB 1070 for ambulance transportation rather than law enforcement vehicle for involuntary admission.…”
— Lisa Clark, Gilford · my adult childsupports
“People with mental illness are patients not criminals and should be treated as such.”
— Virginia Nossiff, Center Conwaysupports
“As a family deeply impacted by mental health crises, we’ve witnessed firsthand the delicate balance between safety and autonomy. Our son, faced moments where urgent intervention was crucial, but the process also left us feeling unheard.…”
— Rahel Kuhne, Lymesupports
“Position: STRONGLY OPPOSE Summary: HB 1070-FN mandates that individuals may be forcibly transported by ambulance for involuntary psychiatric evaluation at the discretion of law enforcement.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes
“This compulsory transportation by ambulance is compulsory purchase of commercial services. It is a state-mandated COST to individuals NOT allowed by our Constitution. It is not a tax. It obviates low-cost transport by family or others.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“This will be another burden on insurance rate and tax payers to pay for a ride. Ambulance calls are very expensive, and should not be used to force someone for an evaluation.”
— CORY STONE, Doveropposes
“I am concerned that people in crisis will end up with an ambulance bill they can’t afford. Hospitals in NH have charitable care programs but I don’t know if the ambulance companies have financial aid options. I have heard that they frequently sue people who don’t/can’t pay.…”
— Margaret Konze, Pembrokeneutral

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 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs2:12:10–2:15:523m 42slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs11:12–13:182m 6slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 5
  2. Feb 18, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2026 11:00 am GP 158
  3. Mar 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2026 09:00 am GP 158
  4. Mar 4, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/04/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 10 P. 22
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 46

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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