Bill Text - HB1702 (2026)

Relative to notice requirements and enforcement for pharmacies dispensing medications intended to induce chemical abortions.


Revision: Dec. 11, 2025, 4:07 p.m.

HB 1702-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2026 SESSION

26-3147

06/09

 

HOUSE BILL 1702-FN

 

AN ACT relative to notice requirements and enforcement for pharmacies dispensing medications intended to induce chemical abortions.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Farrington, Straf. 8; Rep. Mooney, Hills. 12; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Rep. M. Pearson, Rock. 34; Rep. Perez, Rock. 16; Rep. Sellers, Graf. 10; Rep. Thibault, Merr. 25; Rep. Bennett, Rock. 4; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Sen. Avard, Dist 12

 

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill:

 

I.  Defines "chemical" and "medical abortion" drugs.

 

II.  Requires medical facilities and pharmacies that provides chemical abortion drugs to post a standardized notice regarding the potential reversibility of mifepristone.

 

III.  Establishes signage requirements by facility type, imposes a class B felony for intentional noncompliance, and authorizes civil actions for failure to provide the required notice.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

26-3147

06/09

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

 

AN ACT relative to notice requirements and enforcement for pharmacies dispensing medications intended to induce chemical abortions.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Purpose.  The purpose of this act is to inform women seeking chemical abortions that it may be possible to undo the effects of mifepristone, a drug commonly used to induce abortions.  

2  New Subdivision; Chemical Abortion.  Amend RSA 329 by inserting after section 53 the following new subdivision:  

Chemical Abortion

329:54  Definitions.  In this subdivision:  

I.  "Chemical abortion" or "medical abortion" means the use or prescription of any drug or chemical for the purposes of inducing an abortion including, but not limited to, mifepristone.  

II.  "Medical facility" shall have the same meaning as defined in RSA 329:43, VI.

329:55  Notice.  

I.  Any medical facility or pharmacy in New Hampshire where any chemical abortion drug is prescribed, dispensed, or administered for the purposes of inducing a medical abortion shall post a conspicuous sign at least 8.5 inches by 11 inches that is clearly visible to patients and customers.  Such sign shall be printed with lettering that is legible and at least 3/4 of an inch boldfaced type and shall read:  

"NOTICE TO PATIENTS HAVING CHEMICAL ABORTIONS THAT USE MIFEPRISTONE OR OTHER CHEMICAL ABORTION DRUG:  Mifepristone, also known as 'RU-486,' alone is not always effective in ending a pregnancy.  It may be possible to reverse its intended effect if the second pill or tablet has not been taken or administered.  If you change your mind and wish to continue the pregnancy, you can get immediate help by accessing available resources, including Option Line by Heartbeat International at [insert phone number here]."  

II.  Any private office or freestanding surgical outpatient clinic where mifepristone is prescribed, dispensed, or administered for the purposes of inducing a medical abortion shall post the sign required under paragraph I in each patient waiting room and patient consultation room used by patients seeking medical abortions.  

III.  A hospital or other medical care facility or clinic where mifepristone is prescribed, dispensed, or administered for the purposes of inducing a medical abortion that is not a private office or freestanding surgical outpatient clinic shall post the sign required under paragraph I in each patient admission area.  

IV.  A pharmacy where mifepristone is prescribed, dispensed, or administered for the purpose of inducing a medication abortion shall post the sign required under paragraph I in the area inside the premises where customers are provided prescription medications, and on the exterior of the premises in the area where customers are provided prescription medications via a drive-through window.

329:56  Enforcement.  

I.  A health care provider or pharmacy that knowingly violates RSA 329:55 shall be guilty of a class B felony.

II.  Any woman prescribed, dispensed, or administered a drug intending to induce a chemical abortion without being informed by the notice outlined under RSA 329:55 may, in a civil action, obtain appropriate relief against the party in violation of RSA 329:55.  Such relief shall include monetary damages for any psychological or physical injuries, or both, caused by a violation of this subdivision.  

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

LBA

26-3147

12/3/25

 

HB 1702-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to notice requirements and enforcement for pharmacies dispensing medications intended to induce chemical abortions.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:  

 

 

Estimated State Impact

 

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue Fund

None

Expenditures*

Indeterminable

Funding Source

General Fund

Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

Funding Source

None

*Expenditure = Cost of bill            *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

 

Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

 

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

County Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

County Expenditures

Indeterminable

Local Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Local Expenditures

Indeterminable

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association