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HB 1067 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Mental health courts expansion

AI-generated

relative to the mental health courts.

Revises the processes and requirements for establishing mental health courts and requires development of a grant program to fund new mental health courts.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · February 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill revises the processes and requirements for the establishment of mental health courts, and requires the development of a grant program to fund new mental health courts.

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 superior or circuit court may establish one or more mental health courts under which the courts monitor offenders with mental illnesses for compliance with individual services to change behavior which would otherwise result in criminal conduct.”
RSA 490-H:2
“"Risk assessment" means a formal written evaluative tool approved by the office of the statewide treatment courts (OSTC) that measures the individual's risk to public safety and to personal safety, including a consideration of recidivism.”
RSA 490-H:4
“In this chapter "mental health court" means a judicial intervention process that incorporates the guidelines for mental health courts as adopted by the New Hampshire supreme court.”
RSA 490-H:2
“Upon successful completion of a program recommended by the mental health court, an offender's case may be disposed of by the judge in the manner prescribed by the agreement and by the applicable policies and procedures adopted by the mental health court.”
RSA 490-H:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mark PearsonRPrime
  • Rep. Dennis MannionRVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Lucy WeberDDemocratic Floor Leader
  • Rep. Paul BerchDDeputy Ranking Member· Judiciary
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Buzz ScherrD, Rep. Tim HartnettD

Public testimony

49 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

94% support6% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Mental Health Courts in NH have been very successful with those who have participated. Individuals are given the opportunity to receive the support, education, and treatment they need to be well and to thrive. I urge you to support this bill. Thank you.”
— Tricia Brannen, Goffstownsupports
“I support this bill. As a former Mental Health Counselor at Monadnock Family Services I saw the benefits and effectiveness of Mental Health Courts. Thank you for considering your support of this bill. Joanna Andros”
— Joanna Andros, Walpolesupports
“Logic and critical thinking are the foundation of intelligence. Together they create the ability to make wise decisions throughout one's growth and development.”
— Carla Billingham, Salemsupports
“I oppose HB 1607, which, while attempting to regulate the storage and use of road salt, may ultimately fail to address the broader public health and environmental implications it presents.…”
— Georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes
“I'm a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in New Hampshire and have worked with people here for 16 years. I fully support this bill and bringing the success that other places have with mental health courts to New Hampshire!”
— Stephanie Vazzano, Concordopposes

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
  • Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseDivisionLay HB1067 on Table (Rep. Alexander Jr.)Adopted182–171
    Overall
    52% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionRemove from Table (Rep. Newell)Failed145–179
    Overall
    45% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary40:07–48:047m 57slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor4:00:31–4:05:294m 58slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB1067 on Table (Rep. Alexander Jr.) — adopted, division 182-171
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor10:44:28–10:47:453m 17slocated in the stream transcriptRemove from Table (Rep. Newell) — failed, division 145-179

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. 4
  2. Jan 14, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/14/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  3. Jan 14, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/14/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  4. Jan 28, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 6 P. 15
  5. Feb 3, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseLay HB1067 on Table (Rep. Alexander Jr.): MA DV 182-171 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 41
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseRemove from Table (Rep. Newell): MF DV 145-179 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 226

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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