HB 1651-FN (2026): establishing sexual assault orders of protection and relative to sexual assault survivors' rights.

HB 1651-FN (2026)

establishing sexual assault orders of protection and relative to sexual assault survivors' rights.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Civil Actions
• Chapter law: 238

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 16, 2026, with 206 people signed in online: 202 in support and 4 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 18, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 12–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0139h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0139h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 5, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 5, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 24, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was taken off the consent calendar on May 7, 2026. A floor amendment (2026-1814s), offered by Sen. Bill Gannon, was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1814s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Terry Roy. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 238 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Jennifer Rhodes (R - Ches 17) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Rep. Eileen Kelly (D - Merr 8)
• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. David Meuse (D - Rock 37)
• Rep. Nancy Murphy (D - Hills 12)
• Rep. Alissandra Murray (D - Hills 20)
• Rep. Jodi Nelson (R - Rock 13)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9)
• Rep. Kimberly Rice (R - Hills 38)
• Rep. Terry Roy (R - Rock 31)
• Rep. Alexis Simpson (D - Rock 33)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 16, 2026, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• February 18, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• March 5, 2026: consent calendar, House
• March 24, 2026, 1:30 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 5, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0139h — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1814s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1814s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 632-A
• RSA 21-M:18

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 30
• HC 9, page 8
• HJ 6, page 9
• SJ 6
• SC 11
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• HJ 14, page 2
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 52