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SB 551 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Reproductive health care legal protections

AI-generated

relative to legal protections for legal reproductive health care services.

Declares a right to reproductive health care, authorizes civil suits against those who tortiously interfere with that right, restricts state cooperation with out-of-state investigations into protected health care activity, and limits disciplinary action against providers for such activity.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Declares that every individual present in the state has a right to reproductive health care as defined, and authorizes lawsuits against any who tortiously attempt to interfere with such right. II. Prohibits government officials or police agencies from cooperating with any out of state investigation into protected health care activity, subject to certain exceptions. III. Prohibits adverse actions or discipline from being taken by the office of professional licensure and certification and boards concerning certain legally protected health care activity, and prohibits health care providers or other state entities from sharing confidential communications or information regarding reproductive health care services with out of state agencies or individuals subject to certain exceptions. IV. Prohibits malpractice insurers from taking into account certain provisions of protected health care activity. V. Prohibits certain foreign judgments concerning protected health care activity from being given full faith and credit. VI. Prohibits extraditing certain individuals for legally protected health care activity.

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

““Abusive litigation” shall mean and include litigation or other legal action to deter, prevent, sanction, or punish any person engaging in legally protected health care activity by:”
RSA 132-B:1
“Every individual present in the state, including, but not limited to, an individual who is under state control or supervision, shall have the fundamental right to reproductive health care as defined in RSA 132-B:1, I.”
RSA 132-B:2
“Any aggrieved person, provider, carrier, or other entity, including any defendant in such abusive litigation, may move to modify or quash any subpoena issued in connection with such abusive litigation on the grounds that the subpoena is unreasonable, oppressive, or inconsistent with the public policy of the state pursuant to the New Hampshire rules of civil procedure.”
RSA 132-B:3
“Notwithstanding any general or special law or common law conflict of law rule to the contrary, the laws of New Hampshire shall govern in any case or controversy heard in the state related to reproductive health care as defined in RSA 132-B:1, I, except as may be required by federal law.”
RSA 132-B:4

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Debra AltschillerDPrime
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Alexis SimpsonDDemocratic Leader
  • Rep. Laura TelerskiDDeputy Democratic Leader

Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Pat LongD, Sen. Tara ReardonD

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Inexpedient to Legislate3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateRoll callInexpedient to LegislateAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary3:06:15–3:12:526m 37slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floor3:19:27–3:44:1724m 50slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, roll call 16-8; Special Order to the end of the calendar, Without Objection — adopted

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
  2. Feb 11, 2026SenHearing: 02/11/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 5
  3. Mar 5, 2026Sen: Inexpedient to Legislate, 03/05/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenSpecial Order to the end of the calendar, Without Objection, MA; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 5, 2026SenInexpedient to Legislate, RC 16Y-8N, MA === BILL KILLED ===; 03/05/2026; SJ 5

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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