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HB 1376 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Protecting parents' biological-sex parenting choices

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to a parent's ability to raise their child in a manner consistent with the child's biological sex and relative to breast surgeries for minors.

Excludes a parent raising, referring to, or making medical decisions for a child consistent with the child's biological sex from constituting child abuse, neglect, or endangerment, or a basis for adoption and custody determinations.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Exempts child rearing consistent with the child's biological sex from being considered within the definitions of abused child and endangering child welfare. II. Removes child rearing consistent with the child's biological sex from being a basis for findings relative to family law determinations, including: adoptions, child-placing agency licensing, and best interests of the child determinations.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted.

“No child shall be considered an "abused child" under this chapter for the reason that they have been raised by their parent or guardian consistent with their biological sex, including but not limited to referring to a child consistent with their biological sex and making mental health or medical decisions based on the child's biological sex. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to authorize any other acts or omissions that meet the definition of "abused child" in subparagraph II(a).”
RSA 169-C:3, II(b)

The central exclusion, written into the definition of an abused child.AI-generated

“Parents or guardians raising a child consistent with their biological sex, referring to a child consistent with their biological sex, or making mental health or medical decisions based on the child's biological sex shall not constitute a basis for: (a) A court order relative to removing a child from the home, as described in RSA 169-C:6-b; (b) Grounds for filing a petition alleging neglect or abuse of a child, as described in RSA 169-C:7; (c) Evidence of conduct establishing the rebuttable presumption of harm defined in RSA 169-C:12-f; (d) Grounds for filing a petition for the termination of the parent-child relationship, as described in RSA 170-C:4; or (e) Conditions for termination of the parent-child relationship as described in RSA 170-C:5.”
RSA 169-C:6-c, I

The five proceedings the exclusion reaches — removal, neglect petitions, the rebuttable presumption of harm, and termination of parental rights.AI-generated

“The department or a licensed child-placing agency shall not consider an adoptive or prospective adoptive parent's refusal, unwillingness, or lack of support for enabling a child to engage in gender transition, or the parent's intent to raise a child consistent with the child's biological sex, including referring to a child consistent with the child's biological sex and making related mental health or medical decisions based on the child's biological sex, as a basis for determining that such parent is disqualified from consideration as an adoptive parent or that the home is unsuitable for adoption.”
RSA 170-B:18, I-a

Adoption screening: a prospective parent’s position on gender transition cannot itself disqualify them.AI-generated

“In determining the best interests of the child with respect to parental rights and responsibilities under this section, including residential responsibility, the court shall not consider as an adverse factor a parent’s raising a child consistent with their biological sex, including but not limited to, referring to a child consistent with their biological sex and making mental health or medical decisions based on the child's biological sex.”
RSA 461-A:6, I-b

And in a custody fight, the same fact may not be weighed against a parent.AI-generated

“Any parent, guardian, or person having custody or control over a child under 18 years of age, or any other person providing care to or supervision of such child, is not guilty of endangering the welfare of a child under this section for raising a child consistent with the child’s biological sex. Raising a child consistent with their biological sex shall include, but is not limited to, referring to a child consistent with their biological sex and making related mental health or medical decisions based on the child’s biological sex. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize or allow any other acts or omissions that would constitute endangering the welfare of a child under this section.”
RSA 639:3, VII

The criminal-side counterpart: no endangering-the-welfare charge on that basis.AI-generated

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Lori KorzenRPrime
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Sherri ReinfurtRClerk· Housing
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Steven KesselringR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR, Rep. Katherine Prudhomme-O'BrienR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR, Rep. James ThibaultR

Public testimony

911 signed in online · 248 wrote testimony

19% support81% oppose0% neutral

ForParental rights: parents, not the state, should raise their children

AgainstBill removes life-saving protections for trans/nonbinary youth

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The 14th Amendment allows parents to raise their child as they see fit. It's been a LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG standing law that is currently being trampled upon. The state, or country do NOT own our children-We parents do! Please restore the law and parental rights. Thank you!”
— Marci Strange, Concord · Taxpayers Oversight for Parents and Studentssupports
“To Committee Members: I strongly support both parental rights and protecting New Hampshire's kids. It’s unbelievable that we need legislation to protect reality-based parenting. Parents' keeping their children safe from gender ideology and extremism is NOT abuse.…”
— K Danowski, Pittsburghsupports
“I respectfully support HB 1376. Parents should not face allegations of abuse or adverse family law consequences for raising their children in a manner consistent with the child’s biological sex.…”
— Ellie Tonev, Westportsupports
“We OPPOSE HB 1376. We disagree with the central presumption of this bill—that parental rights should supersede the safety and rights of children who are LGBTQ+. The state has a fundamental responsibility to ensure that all children are protected and safe from every form of abuse.…”
— Cathy Stratton, Concord · New Hampshire Medical Societyopposes
“This bill is very clearly meant to target transgender people.…”
— Krystal Bloom, Francestownopposes
“Denying your child's right to express themself how they feel comfortable is equivalent to denying their existence - to denying their sense if self, their sentience. If one can force their child to believe their opinions on such a personal topic, then where is the line?…”
— Alyssa McDonald, Milfordopposes
“Parents and guardians should not be forgotten change genders on a minor. Child should be and need to be raised with their birth genders until 18 years old.”
— Wendy Spinner, Lancasterneutral

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

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law4:13:39–4:14:481m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor24:51–29:244m 33slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0865h — adopted, roll call 171-143; Amendment # 2026-0865h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate Children and Family Law1:23:41–1:31:167m 35slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1938s (Rep. DeSimone) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Rice, Mazur, Wheeler, Nelson
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor8:46:10–8:48:402m 30slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1542s; Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-1542s and #2026-1938s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1542s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floor3:15:58–3:18:482m 50slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2073c; Conference Committee Report # 2026-2073c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2189e Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:41:23–4:51:3410m 11slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report 2026-2073c: Adopted — roll call 183-158; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2189e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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 Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 17
  2. Feb 10, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/10/2026 01:00 pm GP 230
  3. Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 01:00 pm GP 230
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0865h 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 29
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0865h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 60
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0865h: MA RC 171-143 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 61
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 7
  9. Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:00 am; SC 12
  10. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1542s, 05/14/2026, Vote 2-1; SC 18
  11. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1542s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  12. May 14, 2026SenSen. Reardon Floor Amendment # 2026-1938s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  13. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1542s and #2026-1938s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  14. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1938s (Rep. DeSimone): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
  15. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Rice, Mazur, Wheeler, Nelson 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
  16. May 14, 2026SenSen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  17. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Abbas, Rochefort, Reardon; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  18. May 20, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Korzen Replaces Rep. Mazur 05/20/2026 HJ 13 P. 154
  19. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 02:00 pm GP 232
  20. May 26, 2026SenConferee Change; Senator Birdsell Replaces Senator Reardon; SJ 14
  21. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2073c; 06/04/2026
  22. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2073c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  23. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2073c: Adopted, RC 183-158 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  24. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2189e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  25. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2189e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  26. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  27. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  28. Jul 15, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 326; eff.09/13/2026

Coverage

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.