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HB 1790 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Involuntary admission for substance use

AI-generated

relative to involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder.

Includes substance use disorder within the definition of mental illness for purposes of evaluating a person's eligibility for involuntary admission.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill includes substance use disorder in the definition of mental illness for the purpose of evaluating whether a person may be involuntary admitted.

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

“The standard to be used by a court, physician, or psychiatrist in determining whether a person should be admitted to a receiving facility for treatment on an involuntary basis shall be whether the person is in such mental condition as a result of mental illness as to create a potentially serious likelihood of danger to himself or to others.”
RSA 135-C:34
“Notwithstanding RSA 135-C:2, X, as used in this subdivision, "mental illness" means a substantial impairment of emotional processes, or of the ability to exercise conscious control of one's actions, or of the ability to perceive reality or to reason, when the impairment is manifested by instances of extremely abnormal behavior or extremely faulty perceptions.”
RSA 135-C:34

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Patrick LongDPrime

Rep. Dale SwansonD

Public testimony

41 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony

7% support93% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Tax payer dollars should not be used to force someone into treatment.”
— CORY STONE, Doveropposes
“This would be another form of imprisonment, not rehabilitation. We need more resources for health and adequate Healthcare and mental health programs not more jails by other names.”
— Kimberlee Braught, Keeneopposes
“This country was built into a strong nation by immigrants/refugees from other countries. The Statue of Liberty would be a monument of hypocrisy if this bill is passed.…”
— Mary Fortuna, Concordopposes

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
  • Mar 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 24, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs32:04–35:333m 29slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs1:21:45–1:24:493m 4slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — 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 Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 36
  2. Feb 25, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/25/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  3. Feb 24, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/24/2026 09:00 am GP 158
  4. Mar 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2026 09:00 am GP 158
  5. Mar 4, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 03/04/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 10 P. 22
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 46

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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