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HB 1769 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Restricting abortion referrals at public clinics

AI-generated

relative to certain prohibitions on abortion referrals by publicly funded medical facilities.

Bars state-funded medical facilities from referring patients for abortion unless a medical emergency exists or the patient is also referred to a pregnancy resource center, and allows taxpayers or family members to sue over violations.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Prohibits certain medical facilities that receive funding from the state from referring certain patients for an abortion. II. Permits taxpayers to sue medical facilities or the state in instances where certain medical facilities that receive state funding refer certain patients for an abortion. III. Permits a mother or certain family members to sue medical facilities or the state in instances where certain medical facilities that receive state funding refer the mother for an abortion.

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

““Pregnancy resource center” means a private nonprofit facility that provides pregnancy counseling, material support, or medical care to pregnant women but does not perform abortions or make referrals to abortion providers.”
RSA 329:50-a
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no medical facility owned or operated by an entity that receives contractual payments, grants, or other funding from this state, any agency or subdivision thereof, any municipality, or any health care provider employed by or at such a facility, shall refer any patient for an abortion unless:”
RSA 329:50-b
“Any contract made in violation of RSA 329:50-b shall be voided as a matter of law and policy and any court of competent jurisdiction shall order full rescission of the contract.”
RSA 329:50-c
“If any provision of this subdivision or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the subdivision which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.”
RSA 329:50-d

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Samuel FarringtonRPrime
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Mark PearsonR, Rep. John SellersR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Cindy BennettR, Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

968 signed in online · 210 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

AgainstMedical decisions belong to patients and doctors, not government

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“To: House Judiciary Committee From: Michael Courville, Manchester, NH Date: February 5, 2026 Subject: HB1769 – In Opposition Dear Chairman and Members of the Committee, My name is Michael Courville, and I am a resident of Manchester.…”
— Michael Courville, Manchesteropposes
“Prohibiting medical facilities from making referrals to patients for care they need is harmful. These referrals are between patients and doctors and there is no need for the state legislature to get involved.…”
— Serena Funai, Nashuaopposes
“I oppose this legislation, it is in direct violation of the 1st amendment of the US Constitution which guarantees freedom of and from religion.”
— Sarah Lamoureux, Lancasteropposes

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· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary3:52:57–4:01:208m 23slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 13, 2026Public hearingHouse JudiciaryWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 35
  2. Feb 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/09/2026 01:30 pm GP 158
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/13/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 9 P. 19
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 25

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.