HB 1438 New Hampshire House · 2026 Regular Session

enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.

HB 1438 requires licensed mental health caseworkers in New Hampshire to report instances of animal abuse they learn about from clients, including cases of cruelty, neglect, or unsafe living conditions for animals. This applies specifically to professionals working under New Hampshire’s mental health licensing framework, who typically handle confidential client information. The bill mandates that reports be made to local law enforcement or the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NH SPCA), and explicitly protects caseworkers from legal liability when reporting in good faith. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Dec 4, 2025 Last action Apr 21, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → As Amended by the House · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change the language from 'requiring' mental health caseworkers to 'enabling' them to report animal abuse. This shift removes the mandatory nature of the reporting duty, giving caseworkers the option to report suspected abuse rather than forcing them to do so.

Scope change

The scope of the bill changed from a mandatory reporting requirement to a permissive option for mental health professionals.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the reporting obligation from mandatory ('requiring') to optional ('enabling'), allowing mental health caseworkers discretion in reporting animal abuse.

Revised the text to clarify that caseworkers may report abuse based on knowledge or good faith suspicion, removing the strict 'shall' language that previously mandated action.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 17, 2026

Committee

Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15A

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Introduced

Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1024h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 42

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Introduced

Amendment # 2026-1024h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 42

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1024h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 15-1; CC) HC 10 P. 20

lower

Dec 4, 2025

Introduced

Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1 P. 20

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors