Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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SB 139 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Private lawsuits for civil rights

AI-generated

creating a private right of action in civil rights cases.

Creates a private right of action enabling individuals to file civil lawsuits alleging violations of their civil rights.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill creates a private right of action in civil rights cases.

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

“Any person who has been subjected to, or the target of, the unlawful interference with, or the attempt to interfere with, the rights secured by this chapter, may bring a private action in accord with this chapter.”
RSA 354-B:2-a
“Upon commencement of any action brought under this section, the clerk of court shall mail a copy of the complaint or other initial pleadings to the attorney general and, upon entry of any judgment or decree in the action, shall mail a copy of such judgment or decree to the attorney general.”
RSA 354-B:2-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Donovan FentonDPrime
  • Rep. Paul BerchDDeputy Ranking Member· Judiciary

Also: Sen. Debra AltschillerD, Rep. Jonah WheelerD

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary2:40:20–2:43:012m 41slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3
  2. Feb 18, 2025SenHearing: 02/18/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 10
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Jan 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 46
  6. Jan 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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