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HB 1185 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Redefining child endangerment penalties

AI-generated

relative to the offense of endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent.

Repeals and reenacts the crime of endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent, redefining the offense and setting revised penalties ranging from a misdemeanor to a class A felony depending on the resulting harm and intent.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill redefines the crime of endangering of the welfare of a child or incompetent, and adds revised penalties for the violation thereof.

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 convicted of a second or subsequent offense under this section shall be guilty of a class B felony.”
RSA 639:3
“If a person violates paragraph I by negligently engaging in conduct or a pattern of conduct that endangers the safety or health of such child or incompetent, and as a result of such exposure, causes serious bodily injury or death of the child or incompetent, the person shall be guilty of a class A felony.”
RSA 639:3

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jay MarkellRPrime
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law

Also: Sen. Pat LongD

Public testimony

88 signed in online · 85 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

ForPotential positive impact on the disability community

AgainstBill infringes on parental rights, invites overreach

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities (NHCDD) believes this bill could have a positive impact on the NH disability community.”
— Chase Eagleson, Concord · Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilitiessupports
“First off this is yet again another unfunded mandate. The premise that only a nurse can teach health and sexuality is absurd.…”
— Karen Burnett-Kurie, Wolfeboroopposes
“I am writing to express my opposition to HB 1185, relative to the offense of endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent.…”
— David Wheeler, Milfordopposes

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 27, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law7:51–12:494m 58slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law1:07:32–1:09:161m 44slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 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 Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 9
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  4. Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/27/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 7 P. 3
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 3

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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