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HB 1356 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Extending suits over minors' gender care

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the statute of limitations for bringing a private right of action for violation of the statute prohibiting medical procedures and treatments intended to alter a minor's gender, authorizing the application of sunscreen in schools and camps without a licensed health care provider's note or prescription, and establishing a skin cancer prevention education program.

Extends from 2 to 10 years the time to sue over violations of the law prohibiting gender-transition medical procedures for minors, and separately allows students to use sunscreen in schools without a prescription and creates a skin cancer education program.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill: I. Extends the time period to file a claim for violation of the prohibition on medical procedures intended to change a minor's gender from 2 years to 10 years from the date the minor reaches the age of majority. II. Permits the self-application of sunscreen by children in schools and camps without the requirement of a prescription or a licensed health care provider's note. III. Authorizes specific school and camp personnel to apply sunscreen to a child with permission of the child's parent or guardian. IV. Establishes a skin cancer prevention education program in public schools.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“A pupil may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while on school property or at a school-sponsored event or activity without a licensed health care provider’s note or prescription if the product is regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.”
RSA 200:47-a
“All public schools may incorporate instruction in the common school grades utilizing existing, free resources on skin cancer prevention as approved by the state board of education.”
RSA 200:47-b
“A participant in a recreation camp may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while attending such camp without a licensed health care provider’s note or prescription if the product is regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of limiting ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.”
RSA 170-E:62-a
“Any pupil who is unable to self-apply sunscreen in accordance with this section may have assistance provided in applying a topical sunscreen product.”
RSA 200:47-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Robert WherryRPrimeChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Erica LayonRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Katy PeternelRVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration

Also: Rep. Jim KofaltR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. Linda McGrathR, Rep. Mary FordR

Public testimony

699 signed in online · 201 wrote testimony

10% support90% oppose0% neutral

ForHarm and regret from transition often surface years later

AgainstMedical decisions should stay private, not be penalized by law

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Given Children cannot comprehend information re gender affirming care and may be harmed by it, they will need more time to sue for damages when they are an adult. Sterilization and damages to a minor's reproductive system needs more than 2 years to seek justice if needed.…”
— Marci Strange, Concord · Taxpayers Oversight for Parents and Studentssupports
“I support HB 1356. Neuroscience research indicates that full cognitive maturity, especially the ability to make long-term decisions, develops into the mid-twenties.…”
— Daphne Allanore, Brentwoodsupports
“If a so-called "Doctor" turns a confused child into a eunuch then that "Doctor" deserves a lawsuit at the very least.”
— Michael Granger, Milton Mills · Strafford 2supports
“Please vote NO on this bill. This bill shifts health care decisions from qualified clinicians and families to lawmakers and courts, penalizes doctors for following accepted medical standards, and risks worsening health outcomes for vulnerable youth.…”
— Janna Biggs, Hamptonopposes
“Penalizing medical providers for upholding the hippocratic oath is inhumane, unjust, and has absolutely no place in New Hampshire. We know the facts: gender affirming care saves lives.”
— Noah Roderick, Hudsonopposes
“It is the height of arrogance to support this bill. To interfere with the relationship between a patient, and in the case of minors, the family and their doctor or other health care professional is government intrusion of the worst kind.…”
— Charles Rhoades, Doveropposes

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 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callLay HB1356 on Table (Rep. Wade)Failed145–176How they voted
    Overall
    45% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    1–1761% yea
    Democrats
    144–0100% yea
  • Mar 12, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted180–146How they voted
    Overall
    55% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    178–299% yea
    Democrats
    2–1441% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Ward Floor Amendment # 2026-1940sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1940sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1940s and Requests CofC (Rep. Lynn)adopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Gannon Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary5:27:36–5:28:1539slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:11:31–1:13:151m 44slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor20:22–29:329m 10slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 180-146; Lay HB1356 on Table (Rep. Wade) — failed, roll call 145-176
  • Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate JudiciaryWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1940s and Requests CofC (Rep. Lynn) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Lynn, D. Mannion, Alexander Jr., Kuttab
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor9:38:04–9:44:156m 11slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1940s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Ward Floor Amendment # 2026-1940s — 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 Judiciary HJ 1 P. 16
  2. Feb 11, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2026 02:30 pm GP 230
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 57
  5. Feb 27, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseLay HB1356 on Table (Rep. Wade): MF RC 145-176 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 2
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 180-146 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 4
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  9. Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 12
  10. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 14
  11. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 04/16/2026 SJ 9
  12. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 18
  13. May 14, 2026SenSen. Ward Floor Amendment # 2026-1940s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  14. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1940s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  15. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1940s and Requests CofC (Rep. Lynn): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
  16. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Lynn, D. Mannion, Alexander Jr., Kuttab 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
  17. May 14, 2026SenSen. Gannon Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  18. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Abbas, Gannon, Reardon; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  19. May 19, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Peternel Replaces Rep. Alexander 05/19/2026 HJ 13 P. 154
  20. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 11:00 am GP 232
  21. Jun 2, 2026SenConference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; SJ 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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