HB 232-FN (2026): relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals.

HB 232-FN (2026)

relative to the rights of conscience for medical professionals.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Judiciary
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Occupational Regulation

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 5, 2025, with 1,104 people signed in online: 33 in support and 1,071 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held a work session on September 10, 2025. The committee met in executive session on November 12, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2932h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2932h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 8, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 8, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 184–164. It crossed to the Senate and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 18, 2026. The committee voted 3–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1624s). On May 7, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection”. The committee voted 3–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1624s). The committee's amendment (2026-1624s) 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 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1624s” on a roll call 179–154, on a motion by Rep. Bob Lynn. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor vetoed it on July 2, 2026. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On August 19, 2026 the House voted 166–154 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Rep. Mark Pearson (R - Rock 34) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Debra DeSimone (R - Rock 18)
• Rep. Glenn Cordelli (R - Carr 7)
• Rep. JD Bernardy (R - Rock 36)
• Rep. Jess Edwards (R - Rock 31)
• Rep. Katy Peternel (R - Carr 6)
• Rep. Paul Terry (R - Belk 7)
• Rep. Maureen Mooney (R - Hills 12)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 5, 2025, 9:30 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
• March 3, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
• September 10, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Judiciary, GP 230
• November 12, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, GP 230
• January 8, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 18, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House
• August 19, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• January 8, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 184, nays 164, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1624s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: Concur — yeas 179, nays 154, passed
• August 19, 2026, House: Veto Override — yeas 166, nays 154, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 151

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 51, page 39
• SJ 2
• HJ 2, pages 45 and 47
• SC 10
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SC 18
• SJ 12
• HJ 14, page 16
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 52
• HJ 16, page 10
• This page’s data as JSON