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HB 1522 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Domestic violence definitions and review updates

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to amending and adding definitions related to the protection of persons from domestic violence and relative to the domestic violence fatality review committee.

Adds to the types of abuse courts may consider when issuing domestic violence protective orders and allows the domestic violence fatality review committee to review cases involving actual or potential civil litigation.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Adds to the types of abuse the court can consider in determining whether to issue a domestic violence order of protection. II. Enables the department of justice's domestic violence fatality review committee to review a case even if there is actual or potential civil litigation.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“"Abuse" means the commission or attempted commission of one or more of the acts described in subparagraphs (a) through [(h)] (i) by a family or household member or by a current or former sexual or intimate partner, where such conduct is determined to constitute a credible present threat to the petitioner's safety.”
Section 230:1
“"Coercive control" means a pattern of conduct that includes, but is not limited to, a manifestation of the defendant’s intent to threaten, intimidate, harass, isolate, coerce, control, or compel compliance, which causes the petitioner to reasonably fear for his or her physical safety.”
Section 230:2
“Any person who has suffered abuse as defined in RSA 173-B:1, I may seek relief pursuant to RSA 173-B:5 by filing a petition, in the county or district where the plaintiff or defendant resides, alleging abuse by the defendant.”
Section 230:3
“The committee's review of a case shall not be initiated until such time as the law enforcement criminal investigation has been completed or fully adjudicated, whichever comes later.”
Section 230:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jay MarkellRPrime
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Wayne MacDonaldRChair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Jennifer MandelbaumDClerk· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law

Also: Rep. Lori KorzenR, Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR

Public testimony

18 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

17% support83% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill would erode protections for victims of violence. The implication that a person is lying to the court is degrading and dismissive of their legitimate claims. Please do not pass this.”
— Patricia Glowa MD, Hanoveropposes
“Once again, I have to ask why this bill is being considered. We should not be creating more fear and less protections for people to come forward and seek justice and protection against their attackers.”
— Kerri Choate, Rollinsfordopposes
“From lawmakers to volunteers in women’s batter shelters, I haven’t seen this law yet really negative attention. Please listen to your constituents and oppose this bill. It is the wrong direction for women’s rights protection, and for those in need.”
— Felicity Felgate, Lincolnopposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 16, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety2:08:21–2:32:1923m 58slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 24, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary59:57–1:04:344m 37slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1770s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1770s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1770s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor35:02–36:381m 36slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1770s (Rep. Roy) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled 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 Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 24
  2. Jan 16, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/16/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  3. Feb 23, 2026House==CANCELLED== Full Committee Work Session: 02/23/2026 10:00 am GP231
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 11:00 am GP 159
  5. Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 02/18/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 10 P. 11
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 15
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  8. Mar 24, 2026SenHearing: 03/24/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 11
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1770s, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1770s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1770s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1770s (Rep. Roy): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 2
  13. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 230; eff. 7/2/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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