HB 1279 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
05/14/2026 1545s
05/14/2026 1944s
4Jun2026... 2115CofC
4Jun2026... 2186EBA
2026 SESSION
26-2855
09/08
HOUSE BILL 1279
AN ACT relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.
SPONSORS: Rep. Polozov, Merr. 10; Rep. Aures, Merr. 13; Rep. Avellani, Carr. 4; Rep. Giasson, Hills. 29; Rep. McFarlane, Graf. 18; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Sirois, Hills. 32; Rep. Thibault, Merr. 25; Rep. Roy, Rock. 31; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18
COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill modifies the standard for when force can be used against someone likely to use unlawful force in the commission of a felony.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
05/14/2026 1545s
05/14/2026 1944s
4Jun2026... 2115CofC
4Jun2026... 2186EBA 26-2855
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Physical Force in Defense of a Person. Amend RSA 627:4, II(d) to read as follows:
(d) Is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against the actor or a third person within such actor's dwelling or its curtilage.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| April 17, 2026 | 2026-1545s |
| May 14, 2026 | 2026-1944s |
| May 28, 2026 | 2026-2115CofC |
| June 22, 2026 | 2026-2186EBA |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 29, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 13, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 13, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| April 9, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| April 23, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| June 4, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| June 4, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| June 4, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
June 23, 2026: Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2186e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
June 23, 2026: Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2186e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
June 4, 2026: Conference Committee Report 2026-2115c: Adopted, RC 208-140 06/04/2026 HJ 15
May 29, 2026: Conference Committee Report # 2026-2115c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
June 4, 2026: Removed from Consent (Reps. Selig, Harriott-Gathright, Newell, R. Newman, Schultz, Parshall, Lane, Weber, Horrigan, Vail) 06/04/2026 HJ 14
May 28, 2026: Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2115c; 06/04/2026
May 28, 2026: Conferee Change: Rep. S. Smith Replaces Rep. Proulx 05/28/2026 HJ 14
May 27, 2026: Conferee Change; Senator Perkins Kwoka Replaces Senator Prentiss; SJ 14
May 28, 2026: Conference Committee Meeting: 05/28/2026 10:30 am GP 231
May 27, 2026: Conferee Change; Senator Abbas Replaces Senator Gannon; SJ 14
May 27, 2026: Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 11:30 am GP 234
May 21, 2026: President Appoints: Senators Gannon, Rochefort, Prentiss; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 21, 2026: Sen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
May 20, 2026: Speaker Appoints: Reps. Roy, Rhodes, Proulx, Kofalt 05/14/2026 HJ 13
May 20, 2026: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1545s and 2026-1944s and Requests CofC (Rep. Roy): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13
May 14, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-1545s and #2026-1944s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
May 14, 2026: Sen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2026-1944s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
May 14, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1545s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
May 14, 2026: HB 1279 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
April 20, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1545s, 05/14/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 18
April 17, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1545s, 04/23/2026; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 15A
April 1, 2026: Hearing: 04/09/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 13
March 17, 2026: Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
March 11, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA DV 183-144 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 78
March 2, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
March 2, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 7-6; RC) HC 10 P. 33
March 2, 2026: Executive Session: 02/13/2026 03:30 pm GP 159
Jan. 21, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/29/2026 03:30 pm GP 159
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 13