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HB 480 · 2026 · House · Judiciary Committee

Restoring competency to stand trial

AI-generated

relative to restoration of competency to stand trial for criminal defendants.

Directs a study committee to propose further reforms on restoring competency to stand trial and requires a pilot program creating forensic liaison positions to assist competency proceedings once funding is available.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill directs the committee to study restoration of competency to submit any additional proposals on or before July 1, 2025 and requires, once adequate funding is received, the department of health and human services to establish a 2-year pilot program to create the position of one or more forensic liaisons, who will assist in competency proceedings of criminal defendants.

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

“In this section, “parties” means the prosecution, the defense, and the office of the forensic examiner.”
RSA 135:50
“The department of health and human services shall establish a 2-year pilot program creating the position of one or more forensic liaisons (FL) and contracting for all services necessary for competency restoration not otherwise covered by a third-party payer.”
RSA 135:50
“The FL shall operate as neutral entities between the parties and the court in instances when competency is raised as an issue in a criminal case.”
RSA 135:50
“The FL shall operate in the superior court in Merrimack or Strafford county and in the circuit courts district division in the county that is selected.”
RSA 135:50

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mark PearsonRPrime
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Jennifer RhodesRVice Chair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Eric TurerD, Sen. Donovan FentonD, Sen. Pat LongD

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 3, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0061h10–1
    Overall
    91% yea
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0061hadopted
  • Feb 13, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0061hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 22, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary2:33:15–2:34:551m 40slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floor50:43–51:0825slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0061h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0061h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 15, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary18:48–24:015m 13slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floor4:12:36–4:14:121m 36slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 3 P. 12
  2. Jan 29, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2025 11:30 am LOB 206-208
  3. Jan 29, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/29/2025 11:30 am LOB 206-208
  4. Feb 3, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0061h 02/03/2025 (Vote 10-1; CC) HC 11 P. 7
  5. Feb 13, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0061h: AA VV 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 11
  6. Feb 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0061h: MA VV 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 11
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  8. May 15, 2025SenHearing: 05/15/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 21
  9. May 22, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 05/22/2025, Vote 3-0; SC 22
  10. May 22, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  11. Jan 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 01/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 46
  12. Jan 7, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
  13. Jan 7, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 01/07/2026); SJ 2
  14. Jan 8, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 01/08/2026 HJ 3
  15. Feb 6, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 02/06/2026; Chapter 1; eff. 02/06/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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