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SB 573 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Certified public safety comfort dogs

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing certification standards for certified public safety comfort dogs.

Establishes certification standards for certified public safety comfort dogs, their handlers, and certified public safety comfort dog handling teams.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes certification standards for certified public safety comfort dogs, certified public safety comfort dog handlers, and certified public safety comfort dog handling teams.

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

“"Certified public safety comfort dog" means a specifically trained dog that provides support, comfort, and crisis response to individuals, groups, and communities in various settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, disaster relief areas, emergency response/public safety agencies and other places where people may be experiencing stress, trauma, or crisis.”
RSA 167-E:1
“The initial training and certification testing shall be completed by the dog’s second birthday.”
RSA 167-E:2
“Each certified public safety comfort dog handler working with the certified public safety comfort dog shall complete training with his or her assigned certified public safety comfort dog.”
RSA 167-E:3
“The official duties performed by a certified public safety comfort dog shall be directly related to the handler's role as an emergency response or public safety worker.”
RSA 167-E:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Regina BirdsellRPrimeMajority Leader
  • Sen. Bill GannonRVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Rep. Jonathan MortonR

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

70% support30% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“No, sick and tired of people forcing 'pets' onto the public at large. It is out of control. Not everyone loves pets, particularly, dogs. For a variety of reasons, to include allergies.”
— Angelique Hall, Bristolopposes
“I am submitting this testimony regarding SB 573 as a professional working directly with comfort and facility dog programs in real-world settings in New Hampshire. I have been involved in developing and placing over 100 working teams across multiple states and environments.…”
— Peggi Brogan, Rindgeopposes

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 14, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration4:12:36–4:14:151m 39slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0683s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0683s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0683s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs43:42–49:405m 58slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 8, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs4:22:32–4:23:401m 8slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs35:45–38:082m 23slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs30:05–31:131m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1675h (NT); Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1675h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1675h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floor59:01–59:5049slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2145e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2145e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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 Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
  2. Jan 14, 2026SenHearing: 01/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 1
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0683s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0683s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0683s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 8 P. 114
  7. Apr 1, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/01/2026 10:30 am GP 229
  8. Apr 8, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  9. Apr 21, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/21/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
  10. Apr 28, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  11. Apr 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  12. Apr 29, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1675h (NT) 04/29/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 19 P. 8
  13. May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1675h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 6
  14. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1675h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 9
  15. May 21, 2026SenSen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
  16. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2145e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  17. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2145e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  18. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  20. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 267; Effective 08/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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