CHAPTER 55
SB 402-FN - FINAL VERSION
2026 SESSION
26-2148
07/06
SENATE BILL 402-FN
AN ACT eliminating certain non-compete agreements for physician associates.
SPONSORS: Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Reardon, Dist 15; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Rep. Long, Hills. 26; Rep. Vose, Rock. 5; Rep. M. Pearson, Rock. 34; Rep. Weyler, Rock. 14; Rep. Mandelbaum, Rock. 21
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill eliminates certain non-compete agreements for physician associates.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2148
07/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT eliminating certain non-compete agreements for physician associates.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
55:1 New Section; Occupations and Professions; Physician Associates. Amend RSA 328-D by inserting after section 19 the following new section:
328-D:20 Certain Contract Restrictions Upon Physician Associates Unenforceable. Any contract or agreement that creates or establishes terms of a partnership, employment, or other form of professional relationship with a physician associate licensed by the board of medicine to practice medicine in this state, including any restriction on the right of a physician associate to practice in any geographic area for any period of time after the termination of such partnership, employment, or professional relationship, shall be void and unenforceable with respect to said restriction; provided, however, that nothing herein shall render void or unenforceable the remaining provisions of any such contract or agreement. The requirements of this section shall apply only to new contracts or renewals of contracts entered into on or after the effective date of this section.
55:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: May 08, 2026
Effective Date: July 07, 2026
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 21, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Jan. 21, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Jan. 29, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 18, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| March 18, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| March 18, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
May 12, 2026: Signed by the Governor on 05/08/2026; Chapter 55; Effective 07/07/2026
April 28, 2026: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11
April 9, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10
March 20, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/18/2026 (Vote 12-0; CC)
March 20, 2026: Executive Session: 03/18/2026 10:10 am GP 231
March 10, 2026: Public Hearing: 03/18/2026 10:10 am GP 231
Feb. 26, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 5 P. 124
Jan. 29, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
Jan. 22, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
Jan. 15, 2026: Hearing: 01/21/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 2
Jan. 13, 2026: Hearing: 01/21/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:40 am; SC 2
Nov. 18, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1