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HB 1217 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Sex-based restrooms and sports rules

AI-generated

permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.

Allows public and private entities to separate individuals by biological sex in multi-user restrooms and locker rooms and in athletic competitions where biological males have a physical advantage, and states such separation is not discrimination.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill permits the public and private classification of individuals based on biological sex in multi-user lavatory facilities and in athletic competitions where biological males have a competitive advantage. The bill also establishes that these forms of separation based on biological sex do not qualify as discrimination.

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

“This chapter shall be known as the "Law Against Discrimination." It shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the state for the protection of the public welfare, health and peace of the people of this state, and in fulfillment of the provisions of the constitution of this state concerning civil rights.”
RSA 354-A:1
“It shall not constitute unlawful discrimination under this chapter or any other law for a public or private entity to separate individuals based by biological sex with respect to the following matters:”
RSA 354-A:25-a
“For the purposes of this subdivision, "biological sex" shall mean the male and female biological sexes.”
RSA 354-A:25-b
“In addition, the agencies and councils so created shall exercise their authority to assure that no person be discriminated against on account of sexual orientation.”
RSA 354-A:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Katy PeternelRPrimeVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Sherri ReinfurtRClerk· Housing
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. Sayra DeVitoRClerk· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Liz BarbourRVice Chair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Rep. Katherine Prudhomme-O'BrienR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Rep. Diane KelleyR, Rep. Susan DeRoyR

Public testimony

691 signed in online · 123 wrote testimony

4% support96% oppose0% neutral

ForProtects safety, privacy, and fairness for women and girls

AgainstBill is discriminatory and denies equal dignity

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We need to protect our children and girls in particular from allowing males to participate on female support teams. We also need to protect female bathrooms from potential predators and from those who hyper-emphasize their sexual nature by participating in transgender ideology.”
— Heidi Ballentine, FRANCONIAsupports
“Let’s protect the children and women of our beloved New Hampshire and end the usage of multi-use lavatories by the opposite sex.”
— Alison Dear, Lymansupports
“Toilet activity is something nature compels us; it is not voluntary. Being forced by law at time of necessity to be in proximity of those we reject is coercion by The State. The problem to be solved is The Strong abusing The Weak.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“NHSBA is opposed to this bill. Given the number of hearings and executive sessions scheduled at this time, we will be submitting further testimony after the hearing, as appropriate. Thank you.”
— Rebecca Wilson, Concord · New Hampshire School Boards Associationopposes
“Two Governors have vetoed similar bills three times now. Stop wasting the legislature's time on unnecessary and discriminatory culture war issues and move onto legislation that benefits all Granite Staters.”
— Dan Watkins, Derryopposes
“I am not anti basic human rights for any group of people period. This is not ok.”
— Kathleen Mazziott, Alsteadopposes

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 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteSpecial Order to the next order of business (Rep. Kofalt)adopted
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseRoll callLay HB1217 on Table (Rep. A. Murray)Failed168–180How they voted
    Overall
    48% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    10–1795% yea
    Democrats
    158–199% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseRoll callRefer for Interim StudyFailed168–180How they voted
    Overall
    48% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    8–1804% yea
    Democrats
    160–0100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted187–163How they voted
    Overall
    53% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    186–398% yea
    Democrats
    1–1601% yea
  • May 7, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:58–9:017m 3slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floor5:00:21–5:04:574m 36slocated in the stream transcriptRefer for Interim Study — failed, roll call 168-180; Ought to Pass — adopted, roll call 187-163; Special Order to the next order of business (Rep. Kofalt) — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary1:05:29–1:11:436m 14slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Pending Motion Ought to Pass; Sen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table

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. 11
  2. Feb 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/20/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  3. Feb 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/20/2026 10:00 am GP 231
  4. Feb 20, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 02/20/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 9 P. 18
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseRemoved from Consent (Reps. Kofalt, Mazur, Layon, Sabourin dit Choiniere, Farrington, McFarlane, Beaulier, DeVito, Sirois, McGrath, Korzen) 03/04/2026 HJ 6 P. 2
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseSpecial Order to the next order of business (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 87
  7. Mar 5, 2026HouseLay HB1217 on Table (Rep. A. Murray): MF RC 168-180 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 88
  8. Mar 5, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MF RC 168-180 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 90
  9. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 187-163 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 92
  10. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 6
  11. Apr 21, 2026SenHearing: 04/21/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 15
  12. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  13. May 7, 2026SenSen. Gannon Moved Laid on Table, 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  14. May 7, 2026SenPending Motion Ought to Pass; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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