New Hampshire lawmakers advanced two measures in the opening week of the 2026 legislative session that supporters say protect conscience rights for pro-life health care providers and safeguard parental involvement in minors’ medical decisions, including abortions.
The Republican-controlled House on Thursday passed House Bill 232 by a vote of 184-164, largely along party lines, with all but six Republicans in favor and all but one Democrat opposed. The bill enshrines protections for health care providers who conscientiously object to participating in abortions, allowing them to refuse to participate in killing babies without fear of job loss.
It also permits providers discriminated against by employers to sue for damages and requires workplaces to display an 8½-by-11-inch poster titled “Freedom of Conscience for Health Care Providers” outlining these rights.
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The legislation includes exemptions for employees of facilities where abortion is a major service or for sole providers in emergencies.
Rep. Katy Peternel, R-Wolfeboro, a co-sponsor, said the bill aligns New Hampshire with 47 other states that have conscience clauses.
“This bill does not ban or restrict access to abortion,” she said. “It simply brings New Hampshire in line with 47 other states with conscience clauses.”
She added: “for many health care providers, abortion represents the deliberate taking of human life, an unnatural violent separation of unborn children from their mother. … No one should have to choose between their profession and moral integrity.”
Peternel argued it protects professionals “from being forced to participate in the ending of a human life” and helps attract providers who “value motherhood and family.”
HB 232 now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Separately, the Senate on Wednesday passed House Bill 191 by a 16-8 vote along party lines. The bill criminalizes transporting a minor to an abortion — or other surgical procedures — without parental permission.
First offenses are misdemeanors, with third offenses becoming felonies. It requires written parental consent and was amended to specify “termination of the minor’s pregnancy” while removing a prior notarization requirement.
The measure builds on earlier House passage in March 2025 with broader language and now returns to the House for concurrence on the Senate amendments.
Abortion remains legal in New Hampshire up to 24 weeks of pregnancy under current law.
