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SB 189 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Fetal death record procedures

AI-generated

relative to fetal death records.

Updates the requirements and procedures for recording fetal death records.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill changes and updates requirements and procedures for fetal death records. This bill is at the request of the secretary of state.

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

“If the parents do not choose to provide a name, the first name shall be listed as "baby girl," "baby boy," or “baby unknown.” (c) The name of the hospital or institution or the street and number of the location of delivery.”
RSA 5-C:75
“The information and signature requirements for a fetal death paternity affidavit shall be as follows:”
RSA 5-C:76
“In the case of an unwed mother, a fetal death paternity affidavit, as described in RSA 5-C:76, shall be required to add the father’s name and information to the report of fetal death.”
RSA 5-C:77
“Other than hospital dispositions, disposition information for fetal deaths reported as directed in RSA 5-C:71, I(a) shall be filed electronically by a licensed New Hampshire funeral director or town or city clerk.”
RSA 5-C:78

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Suzanne PrentissDPrimeAssistant Democratic Leader

Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Pat LongD, Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1128s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-1128sfailed
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Rosenwald Floor Amendment # 2025-1389sadopted
  • Mar 27, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1389sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Sep 10, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass15–1
    Overall
    94% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 19, 2025Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration13:07–14:311m 24slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 27, 2025Floor debateSenate floor4:54:10–4:58:394m 29slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1128s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1389s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-1128s — failed, voice vote
  • Apr 9, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary3:33:06–3:34:431m 37slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary44:38–46:061m 28slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
  • Sep 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary1:08:10–1:10:412m 31slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 3
  2. Feb 19, 2025SenHearing: 02/19/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:15 am; SC 10
  3. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1128s, 03/27/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 14
  4. Mar 27, 2025SenSB 189 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  5. Mar 27, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1128s, AF, VV; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  6. Mar 27, 2025SenSen. Rosenwald Floor Amendment # 2025-1389s, AA, VV; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1389s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  8. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 11 P. 112
  9. Apr 9, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/09/2025 01:30 pm LOB 206-208
  10. Apr 23, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/23/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  11. Apr 24, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  12. Sep 10, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  13. Sep 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  14. Sep 10, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 09/10/2025 (Vote 15-1; CC) HC 51 P. 14
  15. Jan 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 75
  16. Jan 8, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 01/08/2026 HJ 3
  17. Jan 7, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 01/07/2026); SJ 2
  18. Feb 6, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 02/06/2026; Chapter 2; Effective 06/06/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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