HB 1416 (2026): establishing a committee to study what legal protections currently exist for the freedom of expression of pregnancy resource centers and whether further First Amendment protections are needed.

HB 1416 (2026)

establishing a committee to study what legal protections currently exist for the freedom of expression of pregnancy resource centers and whether further First Amendment protections are needed.

• Status: Died: the chambers did not agree on a version
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Judiciary
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Study Committees and Commissions

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 25, 2026, with 1,055 people signed in online: 154 in support and 901 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 25, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House kill it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0916h), by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 12, 2026 the House adopted “Special Order to the next order of business” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jason Osborne. On March 12, 2026 the House rejected a motion to kill it on a roll call 165–176. The committee minority's amendment (2026-0916h) was adopted on a roll call 179–161 on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 2026 the House failed “Lay HB1406 on Table” on a roll call 165–174, on a motion by Rep. Nicholas Germana. On March 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 176–163. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 28, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1912s). The committee's amendment (2026-1912s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 14, 2026 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1912s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Bob Lynn. On May 21, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Bill Gannon.

Sponsors

• Rep. Samuel Farrington (R - Straf 8) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Rep. Cindy Bennett (R - Rock 4)
• Rep. Michael Granger (R - Straf 2)
• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32)
• Rep. Jeanine Notter (R - Hills 12)
• Rep. Jason Osborne (R - Rock 2)
• Rep. Mark Pearson (R - Rock 34)
• Rep. Kristine Perez (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. John Sellers (R - Graf 10)
• Rep. James Thibault (R - Merr 25)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 25, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, GP 230
• February 25, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, GP 230
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 28, 2026, 1:40 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 12, 2026, House: Special Order to the next order of business — voice vote, passed
• March 12, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 165, nays 176, failed
• March 12, 2026, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 179, nays 161, passed
• March 12, 2026, House: Lay on Table — yeas 165, nays 174, failed
• March 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 176, nays 163, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1912s — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1912s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, Senate: Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 19
• HC 10, page 100
• HJ 8, pages 89, 90, 92, 94 and 96
• SJ 7
• SC 17
• SC 18A
• SJ 12
• HJ 13, page 152
• SJ 13
• This page’s data as JSON