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HB 1279 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Self-defense force in the home

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

Amends the legal standard for when a person may use force against someone likely to use unlawful force in committing a felony within the actor's dwelling or its curtilage.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 20, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill modifies the standard for when force can be used against someone likely to use unlawful force in the commission of a felony.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted.

“Is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against the actor or a third person within such actor's dwelling or its curtilage.”
RSA 627:4, II(d)

The entire operative change: one subparagraph of the self-defense statute, rewritten.AI-generated

“This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.”
Section 323:2

A delayed start for a change to when deadly force is justified.AI-generated

“This bill modifies the standard for when force can be used against someone likely to use unlawful force in the commission of a felony.”
Amended analysis

How the legislature itself described the change after two Senate amendments and a committee of conference.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Yury PolozovRPrime
  • Rep. Lino AvellaniRVice Chair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. James ThibaultR

Public testimony

259 signed in online · 162 wrote testimony

65% support35% oppose0% neutral

ForClarifies self-defense law without expanding it, protecting citizens

AgainstEffectively expands use of force with vague, dangerous standards

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing to express my support for HB 1279 and to urge you to vote Ought to Pass. I see this bill as a measured and thoughtful clarification of New Hampshire’s self defense laws.…”
— Patrick Leblanc, Whitefieldsupports
“I oppose any kind of secret policing in my community and country. All officers who work for and with as well as get paid by the public should not be allowed to hide themselves from us.”
— Maria Fowler, Penacooksupports
“I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1279, which clarifies and strengthens New Hampshire's self-defense laws.…”
— Brendan Rainville, Plaistowsupports
“No, politics DO NOT belong on school issues Child’s education should be only priority”
— Lisa Ayer, Manchesteropposes
“I strongly oppose this bill. This is the type of thing that gets people killed.”
— Michelle Moge, Derryopposes
“This attempts to expand the use of lethal force with no guard rails.”
— Gregory Davis, Salemopposes

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 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass7–6
    Overall
    54% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted183–144
    Overall
    56% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1545s4–1
    Overall
    80% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1545sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2026-1944sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1545s and #2026-1944sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1545s and 2026-1944s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy)adopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteConference committee report 2026-2115cadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026HouseRoll callConference committee report 2026-2115cAdopted208–140How they voted
    Overall
    60% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    193–0100% yea
    Democrats
    15–13910% yea
    Other
    0–10% yea
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2186eadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safetyfrom 5:35:06located in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:56:58–2:01:004m 2slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, division 183-144
  • Apr 9, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary15:05–35:2620m 21slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1545s and 2026-1944s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Rhodes, Proulx, Kofalt
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor11:35:57–11:41:315m 34slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1545s; Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-1545s and #2026-1944s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1545s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2115c; Conference Committee Report # 2026-2115c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2186e Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floor2:05:55–2:09:243m 29slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report 2026-2115c: Adopted — roll call 208-140; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2186e — adopted, voice vote; Removed from Consent (Reps. Selig, Harriott-Gathright, Newell, R. Newman, Schultz, Parshall, Lane, Weber, Horrigan, Vail)

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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 13
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 03:30 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 03:30 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC) HC 10 P. 33
  5. Mar 2, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 183-144 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 78
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  8. Apr 9, 2026SenHearing: 04/09/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 13
  9. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1545s, 05/14/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 18
  10. May 14, 2026SenHB 1279 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  11. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1545s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  12. May 14, 2026SenSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2026-1944s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  13. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1545s and #2026-1944s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  14. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1545s and 2026-1944s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 152
  15. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Rhodes, Proulx, Kofalt 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 152
  16. May 14, 2026SenSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  17. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gannon, Rochefort, Prentiss; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  18. May 27, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 11:30 am GP 234
  19. May 27, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Abbas Replaces Senator Gannon; SJ 14
  20. May 28, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/28/2026 10:30 am GP 231
  21. May 27, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Perkins Kwoka Replaces Senator Prentiss; SJ 14
  22. May 28, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. S. Smith Replaces Rep. Proulx 05/28/2026 HJ 14 P. 36
  23. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2115c; 06/04/2026
  24. Jun 4, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Selig, Harriott-Gathright, Newell, R. Newman, Schultz, Parshall, Lane, Weber, Horrigan, Vail) 06/04/2026 HJ 14
  25. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2115c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  26. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2115c: Adopted, RC 208-140 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  27. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2186e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  28. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2186e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  29. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  30. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  31. Jul 15, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 323; eff.01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

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