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HB 1313 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Repealing abortion clinic buffer zones

AI-generated

repealing buffer zones for reproductive health care facilities.

Repeals the state law prohibiting people from entering or remaining on a public way or sidewalk within a buffer zone adjacent to a reproductive health care facility.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 repeals the prohibition on entering or remaining on a public way or sidewalk adjacent to a reproductive health care facility.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Cyril AuresRPrime

Rep. Mike BelcherR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Rep. Clayton WoodR

Public testimony

1,423 signed in online · 387 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

ForCurrent law improperly restricts free speech in public spaces

AgainstBuffer zones protect patients and staff from harassment

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

Remove all protections under the law for abortion providers and facilities. Remove all access for abortion in the state of New Hampshire. End the new Holocaust.
DANIEL Cushman, Merrimacksupports
The current law restricts free speech and that the bill aligns with supreme court precedents, such as McCullen v. Coakley, regarding sidewalk counseling. We need to uphold constitutional rights.
Brian Fox, Hamptonsupports
You cannot restrict public access in public spaces. If protestors can stand where ever they want on public property for just about anything else, you can make special rules for specific places.
Sae-Hee Palanski, Derrysupports
NHMS Opposes HB 1313. While the First Amendment protects the right to peaceably assemble, it does not provide an absolute right to protest at any time, in any location, or in any manner.
Cathy Stratton, Concord · New Hampshire Medical Societyopposes
It's quite telling that not a single woman co-sponsored this bill; only men who will never have to experience the trauma they intend to inflict with this legislation. I pray for the daughters and granddaughters who have to suffer with these men.
Christie Davis, Contoocookopposes
Patient safety zones are there to protect patients and allow them to access care without harrassment, intimidation or obstruction. Every patient deserves that right, no matter the healthcare services they are accessing.
Wendy Wetherbee, Derryopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-1110:00 amHouse JudiciaryGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-02-1310:00 amHouse JudiciaryGP 158Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 15
  2. Feb 11, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2026 02:00 pm GP 230
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 57
  5. Feb 27, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MF DV 158-170 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 237
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 171-163 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 238

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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