Bill > HB232

This bill establishes a new chapter in New Hampshire law to protect the freedom of conscience for health care providers, defining key terms like "abortion" (intentionally ending a pregnancy for reasons other than preserving the life or health of the child after birth, or removing an ectopic pregnancy), "artificial contraception" (preventing ovulation, fertilization, or implantation), "conscientiously object" (objecting due to religious belief or moral/ethical conviction), "discriminate" (taking adverse action against a provider for objecting), "health care institution" (any facility where these services are provided), and "health care provider" (any individual involved in providing these services). It grants health care providers the right to refuse to counsel, advise, provide, perform, assist, or participate in abortions, sterilizations, or artificial contraception without facing administrative, civil, or criminal liability, and prohibits any entity from discriminating against them for such objections. Health care institutions are required to prominently post a notice informing providers of this right and to ensure all providers are aware of it. Violations of the non-discrimination provisions allow the affected provider to sue for damages, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, and costs, with a minimum recovery of $10,000 per violation, while failure by institutions to post the required notice can result in civil fines of $1,000 to $10,000 per occurrence.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=303&inflect=2