Bill > HB476

This bill introduces new restrictions on elective abortions in New Hampshire by establishing a 15-week gestational age limit for abortions, with exceptions only for medical emergencies or fetal abnormalities incompatible with life. The bill requires healthcare providers to determine a fetus's probable gestational age through an ultrasound examination before performing an abortion after 15 weeks, and mandates that abortions performed under medical emergency circumstances must be reported to the medical facility or Department of Health and Human Services. Healthcare providers who knowingly perform abortions in violation of these restrictions could face significant penalties, including being charged with a class B felony and fined between $10,000 and $100,000. The bill also allows civil remedies for the woman, her spouse, or maternal grandparents in certain circumstances, and provides a mechanism for healthcare providers to seek review by the New Hampshire Board of Medicine regarding the medical necessity of an abortion. Additionally, the bill modifies the legal definition of "fetus" and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found invalid, the remaining provisions can still be enforced. The new restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2026.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=757&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB476