Rep. James Roesener

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a patient's right to receive sterilization treatment in New Hampshire if they are at least 18 years old and request it. For patients with a medical condition where sterilization is advisable, doctors cannot refuse the procedure based on age, number of children, or assumptions about future reproductive desires, provided the patient signs an informed consent form. If a patient seeks sterilization unrelated to a medical condition, physicians must refer them to another doctor willing to perform the procedure and accept their payment method if they cannot do so themselves. The law also clarifies that patients who proceed with sterilization against medical advice generally cannot sue providers for being rendered sterile, except in cases of purposeful, reckless, or negligent conduct.