HB 480 (2026): relative to restoration of competency to stand trial for criminal defendants.

HB 480 (2026)

relative to restoration of competency to stand trial for criminal defendants.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Judiciary
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Courts and Procedure
• Chapter law: 1

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 29, 2025, with 15 people signed in online: 13 in support, 1 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on January 29, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 10–1 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0061h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0061h) was adopted on a voice vote on February 13, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On February 13, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 6, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 15, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate send it back to committee. On May 22, 2025 the Senate voted to send it back to committee on a voice vote. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on January 8, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on February 6, 2026, making it Chapter 1 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Mark Pearson (R - Rock 34) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Alicia Gregg (D - Hills 7)
• Rep. Katelyn Kuttab (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Bob Lynn (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Jennifer Rhodes (R - Ches 17)
• Rep. Terry Roy (R - Rock 31)
• Rep. Eric Turer (D - Rock 6)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Pat Long (D - SD20)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 29, 2025, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
• January 29, 2025, 11:30 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, LOB 206-208
• February 13, 2025: floor debate, House
• May 15, 2025, 1:10 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• May 22, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• January 7, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• February 13, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0061h — voice vote, passed
• May 22, 2025, Senate: Rereferred to Committee — voice vote, passed
• January 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 135

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 11, page 7
• SC 21
• SC 22
• SJ 1
• SJ 2
• HJ 3