HB 232 New Hampshire House · 2026 Regular Session

relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals.

HB 232 protects New Hampshire healthcare providers' right to refuse participation in abortions, sterilizations, or artificial contraception based on religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. It requires health care institutions to prominently post notices about these rights and prohibits discrimination against providers who conscientiously object. Violations by institutions carry civil fines ($1,000-$10,000 per occurrence), while providers denied employment or other benefits due to objections may seek triple damages plus attorney fees. The law applies to all medical professionals in New Hampshire, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and students, and takes effect January 1, 2026.
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Vetoed
Aug 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2025 Vetoed Aug 19, 2026
Floor votes · House Aug 19, 2026

How they voted

8894
Passed · 32 other
Total votes 214
Aug 19, 2026
D Democratic101
86 Nay 15
85% Nay
I Independent2
1 Yea 1
50% Yea
R Republican111
87 Yea 8 Nay 16
78% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
10
Committee
9
Amendments
2
Aug 19, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (88-94-32)
house
Aug 19, 2026
Vetoed
Veto Sustained 08/19/2026: RC 166-154 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 16
lower
Jul 10, 2026
Vetoed
Vetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026
lower
May 21, 2026
Introduced
House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1624s (Rep. Lynn): MA RC 179-154 05/20/2026 HJ 14 P. 16
lower
May 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1624s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
upper
May 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2026-1624s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
upper
May 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1624s, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 18
upper
Apr 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1624s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-1; SC 17
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 2
upper
Jan 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2932h: MA RC 184-164 01/08/2026 HJ 2 P. 47
lower
Jan 8, 2026
Introduced
Amendment # 2025-2932h: AA VV 01/08/2026 HJ 2 P. 45
lower
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
lower
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2932h 11/12/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 51 P. 39
lower
Aug 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Full Committee Work Session: 09/10/2025 10:00 am GP 230
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Retained in Committee
lower
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Judiciary HJ 2 P. 11
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.