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HB 580 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Ban on retaliatory defamation lawsuits

AI-generated

relative to retaliatory defamation in domestic violence and sexual violence cases.

Prohibits retaliatory defamation against a victim who reports sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or domestic abuse.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits retaliatory defamation against a victim reporting sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or domestic abuse.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Anita BurroughsDPrimeRanking Member· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. Hope DamonDDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding
  • Rep. Paul BerchDDeputy Ranking Member· Judiciary
  • Rep. Carry SpierDDeputy Ranking Member· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader

Also: Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Dick ThackstonR, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Hearings

  • 2025-02-199:00 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearing
  • 2025-03-129:30 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearing
  • 2025-03-1211:00 amHouse JudiciaryLOB 206-208Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-09-1010:00 amHouse JudiciaryGP 230Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 3 P. 17
  2. Feb 19, 2025House==RECESSED== Public Hearing: 02/19/2025 11:15 am LOB 206-208
  3. Mar 12, 2025House==CONTINUED== Public Hearing: 03/12/2025 10:15 am LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 12, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/12/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  5. Mar 17, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  6. Sep 10, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  7. Sep 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  8. Sep 10, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study 09/10/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 51 P. 14
  9. Jan 7, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 75

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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