The overturning of Roe v. Wade means the future of abortion access now depends upon the state legislature. In this crisis moment for abortion access, it is critical New Hampshire takes action.
PPNHAF Supports the Following Bills:
- The Access to Abortion-care Act - HB 88 and SB 181 Bills have been filed in the House and Senate to enshrine abortion rights in New Hampshire state law. Presently, we are the only state in New England without proactive protections for abortion.
- The NH House of Representatives voted 199-185 on "Ought to Pass" on HB 88 and the bill will now go to the state Senate for further consideration. Unfortunately, the NH Senate voted 14-10 on party lines to reject HB 88; that means this bill will not move forward.
- The public hearing for SB 181 was held on Tuesday, Jan. 31 in Senate Judiciary. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3-2 to recommend "Inexpedient to Legislate" on SB 181; the full Senate voted ITL in a 14-10 party line vote on Thursday, March 9. This bill will not move forward
- HB 224 This bill repeals the criminal and civil penalties from New Hampshire's current 24-week abortion ban. The current law singles out medical providers who have the training and expertise to provide abortion care later in pregnancy and is an invitation for further intimidation and harassment against these medical professionals that has a chilling effect across the health care landscape in New Hampshire.
- The NH House of Representatives voted 205-178 on "Ought to Pass" which means HB 224 now goes to the state Senate for further consideration.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 224 on Thursday, April 6. Unfortunately, on Thursday, April 13, the New Hampshire Senate voted 14-10 on party lines to reject HB 224, which means this bill will not move forward.
- HB 271 This bill would fully repeal New Hampshire's current abortion ban, which went into effect on January 1, 2022. Currently, there are exceptions to the prohibition on abortion at or after 24 weeks for physical maternal health and fatal fetal diagnoses, however, there are none for cases of rape or incest and it criminalizes doctors with fines and up to seven years in prison.
- The public hearing for HB 271 was held on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The NH House of Representatives voted 192-192 on "Ought to Pass" which means the motion failed in a tie. The House then tabled the bill, which means it will not move forward.
- CACR 2 This constitutional amendment would enshrine reproductive rights in New Hampshire's state constitution and guarantee reproductive autonomy for all Granite Staters. Presently, there are no proactive policies guaranteeing Granite Staters' right to abortion or other reproductive health services.
- The public hearing for CACR 2 was held on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The NH House of Representatives voted 193-191 in support of "Ought to Pass" on CACR 2; while the constitutional amendment received majority support, it requires 3/5s to move forward and therefore will not move forward.
PPNHAF Opposes the Following Bills
- HB 346 This bill is NOT about abortion; instead, it IS about early labor or a fatal fetal diagnoses. The unfortunate reality is there are tragic and devastating circumstances where an infant might be born prematurely or with a health issue so severe that the most appropriate medical care is comfort care. But this bill would take options away from families in complex circumstances and dictate their grieving process.
- The public hearing for HB 346 was held on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The NH House of Representatives voted "Inexpedient to Legislate" on HB 346, which means it will not move forward.
- HB 562 This bill requires a 24-hour waiting period for all patients seeking an abortion and would mandate medical providers give false and misleading information about medication abortion to patients. HB 562 uses shaming language implying that people seeking abortions can't be trusted to make their own health care decisions and adds unnecessary burdens to accessing care.
- The public hearing for HB 562 was held on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The NH House of Representatives voted in support of "Inexpedient to Legislate" on HB 562 which means the bill will not move forward.
- HB 591 This extreme legislation is a near total ban on abortion, prohibiting the procedure around 6 weeks with virtually no exceptions.
- The public hearing for HB 591 was held on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The NH House of Representatives voted 271-110 in support of "Inexpedient to Legislate" on HB 591 which means the bill will not move forward.
- HB 615 This bill would mandate an additional, unnecessary audit for providers who participate in the New Hampshire Family Planning Program.
- The public hearing for HB 615 was held on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The NH House of Representatives voted 354-29 to table HB 615, which means it will not move forward.