SB 501 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2096
09/08
SENATE BILL 501
SPONSORS: Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
This bill authorizes a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) to order seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency at New Hampshire hospital and other designated receiving facilities.
The bill is a request of the department of health and human services.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2096
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Hampshire Mental Health Services System; Treatment Rights; Seclusion or Restraint. Amend RSA 135-C:57, V to read as follows:
V. Freedom from seclusion or physical or pharmacological restraint. Notwithstanding any state law to the contrary, seclusion or restraint shall be administered only by order of a physician, physician associate, or an APRN with the consent of the person, who has made an informed decision, or as a form of emergency treatment imposed by law or by rules, adopted by the commissioner under RSA 541-A.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Nov. 21, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1