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HB 1651 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Sexual assault protective orders

AI-generated

establishing sexual assault orders of protection and relative to sexual assault survivors' rights.

Establishes sexual assault orders of protection and updates certain rights for sexual assault survivors.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill establishes sexual assault orders of protection and updates certain rights for sexual assault survivors.

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

“A person may file a civil petition in the circuit court in the district where the plaintiff or defendant resides to seek relief from the court upon demonstrating, by a preponderance of the evidence, they have been the victim of sexual assault as defined in this chapter.”
RSA 632-A:5-a
“Upon a showing of sexual assault, the court shall grant such relief against the actor as is necessary to protect the physical, psychological, or emotional wellbeing of the victim.”
RSA 632-A:5-a
“The types of relief that may be granted, the procedures and burdens of proof to be applied in such proceedings, the methods of notice, service, and enforcement of such orders, and the penalties for violation thereof shall be the same as those set forth in RSA 173-B.”
RSA 632-A:5-a
“The minority of a plaintiff or defendant shall not preclude the court from issuing protective orders under this section.”
RSA 632-A:5-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jennifer RhodesRPrimeVice Chair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Alexis SimpsonDDemocratic Leader
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. David MeuseDDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader

Also: Rep. Eileen KellyD, Rep. Nancy MurphyD

Public testimony

206 signed in online · 36 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I believe this bill is in the best interest of victims of abuse and violence.”
— Elizabeth Johnson, Lisbon · Myselffsupports
“As someone who has professionally supported survivors of sexual assault, this bill is essential to keeping survivors safe! Only when they ae safe can they fully start their healing journey.”
— Jessica Vaughn-Martin, Litchfieldsupports
“This is a crucial bill that establishes and extends protection to survivors of sexual assault and allows them to access relief from the courts even when the offender isn't a partner or a stalker.…”
— Rev. Bill Beardslee, Warnersupports
“As a domestic violence survivor myself, there is a great deal of fear and shame associated with coming forward and accusing your abuser especially if your abuser is a person within a position of power.…”
— Haley Milton, Exeteropposes

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 Safety2:41–17:4815m 7slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0139h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0139h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 24, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary1:46:28–2:04:5718m 29slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floor6:03:02–6:06:293m 27slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1814s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2026-1814s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateHouse floor37:16–38:401m 24slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1814s (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. 30
  2. Jan 16, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/16/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0139h 02/18/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC) HC 9 P. 8
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0139h: AA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 9
  6. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0139h: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 9
  7. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 6
  8. Mar 24, 2026SenHearing: 03/24/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 11
  9. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. May 7, 2026SenHB 1651 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  11. May 7, 2026SenSen. Gannon Floor Amendment # 2026-1814s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  12. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1814s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1814s (Rep. Roy): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 2
  14. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  15. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  16. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 238; eff. 1/1/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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