SB 475 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/12/2026 1005s
2026 SESSION
26-2034
08/09
SENATE BILL 475
AN ACT including a determination of the best interest of the animal in the definition of foster home.
SPONSORS: Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Rep. N. Germana, Ches. 15; Rep. W. MacDonald, Rock. 16; Rep. C. Harvey, Ches. 6
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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ANALYSIS
This bill includes a determination of the best interest of the animal in the definition of foster home.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/12/2026 1005s 26-2034
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT including a determination of the best interest of the animal in the definition of foster home.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Foster Home; Definition. Amend RSA 437:1 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:
VI. “Foster home” means a private residence in New Hampshire associated with and inspected by a pet vendor licensed under RSA 437:3 that is used to provide temporary physical custody and care at such private residence for the pet vendor’s animals, including pregnant or lactating animals, when it is deemed to be in the best interests of that animal’s health, safety, and wellbeing as determined by a New Hampshire licensed veterinarian.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 3, 2026 | 2026-1005s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 17, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| March 31, 2026 | House | Hearing |
April 1, 2026: Full Committee Work Session: 04/07/2026 01:00 pm GP 153
March 18, 2026: Public Hearing: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 153
March 16, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 8
March 6, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1005s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 6, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1005s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 4, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1005s, 03/12/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 9
Feb. 4, 2026: Hearing: 02/17/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:30 am; SC 5
Nov. 21, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 1