SB 642-FN (2026): repealing the committee for the protection of human subjects institutional review board.

SB 642-FN (2026)

repealing the committee for the protection of human subjects institutional review board.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Senate committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Subject: State Government
• Chapter law: 113

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 28, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0383s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0383s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 5, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On February 5, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 18, 2026, with one person signed in online in support. The committee met in executive session on March 18, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 12–1 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On April 9, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on May 14, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on May 28, 2026, making it Chapter 113 of the session laws. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Sponsors

• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 28, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Executive Departments and Administration, SH 103
• February 5, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 18, 2026, 1:40 PM: public hearing, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• March 18, 2026, 1:40 PM: executive session, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 5, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0383s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 171-A:19-a
• RSA 171-A:19-b

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SC 4
• HJ 5, page 127
• HJ 10, page 17
• SJ 13
• HJ 13, page 147
• House Calendar 14, 2026, committee report