SB 501 New Hampshire Senate · 2026 Regular Session

relative to authorization of seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency by a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice registered nurse.

SB 501 authorizes physicians, physician associates, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to order seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency at New Hampshire hospitals and designated facilities. It modifies state law (RSA 135-C:57) to explicitly allow these healthcare providers to implement such measures without patient consent when a safety emergency occurs. The bill specifically applies to situations where immediate action is needed to protect a patient or others from harm. This change clarifies existing procedures for emergency interventions in healthcare settings.
Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Governor
Introduced Nov 21, 2025 Last action Aug 20, 2026
Floor votes · House May 7, 2026

How they voted

9999
Passed · 24 other
Total votes 222
May 7, 2026
D Democratic108
1 Yea 95 Nay 12
87% Nay
I Independent2
1 Yea 1
50% Yea
R Republican112
97 Yea 4 Nay 11
86% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
4
May 7, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (99-99-24)
house
Apr 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Committee
Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/15/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 18 P. 14
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced
Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 5 P. 124
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
upper
Nov 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1
upper
0 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.