HB 542 (2021): relative to the protection of religious liberty.

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@misc{bill-2021-hb542, title = {HB 542 (2021): relative to the protection of religious liberty.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2021/hb542}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

HB 542 (2021)

relative to the protection of religious liberty.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2021-2022
  • House committee: Judiciary
  • Senate committee: Judiciary
  • Subject: Miscellaneous
  • Chapter law: 191

The Story

It was introduced on January 6, 2021 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee met in executive session on March 10, 2021 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2021-0623h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 11–10. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2021-0623h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 9, 2021, changing the text of the bill. On April 9, 2021 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 199–173. It crossed to the Senate and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2021-1712s). The committee's amendment (2021-1712s) was adopted on a roll call 14–10 on May 27, 2021, changing the text of the bill. On May 27, 2021 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On June 4, 2021 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2021-1712s and Requests CofC (Reps. McLean, Wuelper, Sylvia, Alexander Jr.)” on a voice vote. On June 10, 2021 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Sharon Carson. A committee of conference met on June 14, 2021 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 24, 2021 the Senate adopted the conference report (2021-1964c) on a roll call 14–10. On June 24, 2021 the House adopted the conference report (2021-1964c) on a roll call 205–158. The bill was enrolled on June 24, 2021 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on August 10, 2021, making it Chapter 191 of the session laws.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • March 5, 2021, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary
  • March 10, 2021, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary
  • May 11, 2021, 2:15 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary
  • June 14, 2021, 2:30 PM: committee of conference, LOB 206-208

Votes

  • April 9, 2021, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 199, nays 173, passed
  • May 27, 2021, Senate: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 14, nays 10, passed
  • May 27, 2021, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2021-1712s — voice vote, passed
  • June 4, 2021, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2021-1712s and Requests CofC (Reps. McLean, Wuelper, Sylvia, Alexander Jr.) — voice vote, passed
  • June 10, 2021, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
  • June 24, 2021, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — yeas 14, nays 10, passed
  • June 24, 2021, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — yeas 205, nays 158, passed

The Docket

  • January 6, 2021: Introduced (in recess of) 01/06/2021 and referred to Judiciary
  • March 5, 2021: Public Hearing: 03/05/2021 10:00 am Members of the public may attend using the following link: To join the webinar: https://www.zoom.us/j/97676008758 / Executive session on pending legislation may be held throughout the day (time permitting) from the time the committee is initially convened
  • March 10, 2021: Executive Session: 03/10/2021 09:00 am Members of the public may attend using the following link: To join the webinar: https://www.zoom.us/j/95164452682
  • March 22, 2021: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2021-0623h (Vote 11-10; RC)
  • March 22, 2021: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  • April 8, 2021: Introduced 04/08/2021 and Referred to Judiciary
  • April 9, 2021: Amendment #2021-0623h : AA VV 04/09/2021
  • April 9, 2021: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2021-0623h: MA RC 199-173 04/09/2021
  • May 6, 2021: Remote Hearing: 05/11/2021, 02:15 pm; Links to join the hearing can be found in the Senate Calendar
  • May 27, 2021: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2021-1712s , 05/27/2021; SC 25A
  • May 27, 2021: Committee Amendment #2021-1712s , RC 14Y-10N, AA; 05/27/2021
  • May 27, 2021: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2021-1712s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/27/2021
  • June 4, 2021: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2021-1712s and Requests CofC (Reps. McLean, Wuelper, Sylvia, Alexander Jr.): MA VV 06/04/2021
  • June 10, 2021: Sen. Carson Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 06/10/2021
  • June 10, 2021: President Appoints: Senators Carson, Birdsell, Whitley; 06/10/2021
  • June 14, 2021: Conference Committee Meeting: 06/14/2021 02:30 pm LOB 206-208
  • June 15, 2021: Conferee Change; Senator Giuda Replaces Senator Whitley
  • June 16, 2021: Conference Committee Report Filed, #2021-1964c ; 06/24/2021
  • June 24, 2021: Conference Committee Report #2021-1964c ; RC 14Y-10N, Adopted; 06/24/2021
  • June 24, 2021: Conference Committee Report 2021-1964c: Adopted, RC 205-158 06/24/2021
  • June 24, 2021: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/24/2021)
  • June 24, 2021: Enrolled (in recess of) 06/24/2021
  • August 10, 2021: Signed by Governor Sununu 08/10/2021; Chapter 191; Eff: 10/09/2021

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