SB 501 (2026): relative to authorization of seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency by a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice registered nurse.

SB 501 (2026)

relative to authorization of seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency by a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice registered nurse.

• Status: Died on the table
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Public and Mental Health

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 11, 2026. On February 19, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2026, with 7 people signed in online: 5 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 15, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House kill it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On May 7, 2026 the House adopted “Lay SB501 on Table” on a roll call 188–154, on a motion by Rep. Wayne MacDonald. The bill died on the table when the session ended on August 19, 2026, having been set aside and never taken back up.

Sponsors

• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 11, 2026, 1:15 PM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• February 19, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 8, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• April 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 19, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Lay on Table — yeas 188, nays 154, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 135-C:57

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 5
• SJ 4
• SC 6
• HJ 5, page 124
• HC 18, page 14
• HJ 12, page 31
• HJ 16