Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1447 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Restricting facilities by biological sex

AI-generated

restricting the use of certain public and private facilities on the basis of sex and establishing that such restriction does not qualify as discrimination.

Defines "sex" in state law, requires state and local government to adopt policies classifying restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters by sex, allows private entities to do the same, and states such policies are not discrimination.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the Senate · May 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Defines the term "sex" within statutory construction. II. Requires the state of New Hampshire and all political subdivisions of the state to adopt policies that classify the use of restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters by sex. III. Authorizes private entities to adopt the same policies relative to biological sex, and establishes that all public or private policies adopted pursuant to the section shall not constitute discrimination.

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

“Gender. – Words importing the singular number may extend and be applied to several persons or things; words importing the plural number may include the singular; and words importing the masculine gender may extend and be applied to females.”
RSA 21:3
“The state of New Hampshire and all political subdivisions of the state shall adopt policies that classify the use of restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters based on sex.”
RSA 354-A:25-a
“The terms "woman" and "girl" shall mean "female" and the terms "man" and "boy" shall mean "male":”
RSA 21:3
“"Sex" means either female or male as defined by RSA 21:3 and as described by the sex listed on an individual's official birth certificate issued at or near the time of the individual’s birth.”
RSA 354-A:25-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Lisa MazurRPrimeVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Sherri ReinfurtRClerk· Housing
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education

Also: Rep. Diane KelleyR, Rep. Lori KorzenR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR, Rep. Linda McGrathR, Rep. Mary MurphyR, Rep. Katherine Prudhomme-O'BrienR

Public testimony

679 signed in online · 123 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

ForProtects safety, privacy, and fairness for women and girls

AgainstBill is discriminatory and denies equal dignity

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Toilet activity is something nature compels us; it is not voluntary. Being forced by law at time of necessity to be in proximity of those we reject is coercion by The State. The problem to be solved is The Strong abusing The Weak.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“NHSBA is opposed to this bill. Given the number of hearings and executive sessions scheduled at this time, we will be submitting further testimony after the hearing, as appropriate. Thank you.”
— Rebecca Wilson, Concord · New Hampshire School Boards Associationopposes
“Two Governors have vetoed similar bills three times now. Stop wasting the legislature's time on unnecessary and discriminatory culture war issues and move onto legislation that benefits all Granite Staters.”
— Dan Watkins, Derryopposes
“Let's not back track on progress. Trans and nonbinary people in our community deserve respect. Trans and nonbinary people have existed throughout human history. The hatred and exclusion of them is purely a political scape goat. Focus on protecting people from real dangers.…”
— Veronica Joyce, Manchesteropposes

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 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–7
    Overall
    59% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted184–154How they voted
    Overall
    54% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    183–398% yea
    Democrats
    1–1511% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Tableadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary3:34:44–3:37:392m 55slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor41:35–46:334m 58slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 184-154
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary2:39:23–2:56:0516m 42slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:07:45–5:08:521m 7slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Pending Motion Ought to Pass; Sen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table — 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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 20
  2. Feb 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/20/2026 11:30 am GP 231
  3. Feb 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/20/2026 11:30 am GP 231
  4. Feb 20, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 02/20/2026 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 10 P. 58
  5. Feb 25, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 184-154 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 10
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  8. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:50 pm; SC 15
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 7, 2026SenPending Motion Ought to Pass; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

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.