Lawmakers Advocate for New Hampshire Legislation Affirming Right to Abortion in Senate Public Hearing
WATCH HEARING: Lawmakers urge New Hampshire to become final New England state with explicit legal protections for abortion
CONCORD, NH (March 11, 2025) – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee hosted a public hearing for SB 260, legislation introduced by Senator Debra Altschiller, that would codify the right to abortion prior to 24 weeks gestation in New Hampshire state law. A copy of the bill can be found HERE.
“Reproductive rights are fundamental human rights. The ability to decide if and when to become a parent is deeply personal, and every Granite Stater deserves full bodily autonomy to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions. SB 260 affirms what we already know—abortion is health care—and ensures that New Hampshire remains a place where reproductive freedom is protected,” said Senator Debra Altschiller. “I’ve been fighting for the expansion of reproductive rights since I was a teenager, and it horrifies me that my own daughter has fewer rights today than I did at her age. We cannot allow this erosion of freedoms to continue. New Hampshire must stand against forced birth, and it starts by passing SB 260.”
In addition to Senator Altschiller, SB 260 is co-sponsored by Senators Rosenwald, Perkins Kwoka, Fenton, and Representative Telerski.
“I was 24 weeks pregnant with my second daughter when the Republican Senate passed New Hampshire’s first modern abortion ban at 24 weeks. That moment made it clear: our rights are on the line,” said Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka. “A woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions must be protected—without interference from politicians. That’s why I am proud to support and co-sponsor SB 260, legislation that codifies this right to choice for Granite Staters. We have the opportunity to secure personal freedoms for women by affirming that abortion is health care and ensuring that reproductive rights are protected in New Hampshire. I will not stop fighting until this is a reality.”
SB 260 is the Senate companion bill to HCR 7, introduced by Rep. Alexis Simpson, a House Concurrent Resolution that acknowledges abortion as basic health care, giving people the freedom to fully control their bodies, lives, and futures. HCR 7 was heard last month by the House Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee in a public hearing. HCR 7 is co-sponsored by Representatives Smith, Hakken-Phillips, Murray, Seibert, Vandecasteele, Turer, Lloyd, Ebel, Weber, and Senators Rosenwald, Prentiss, Altschiller, Reardon, and Perkins.
This legislation is supported by a broad coalition of advocates, including Reproductive Equity Now, Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund, and ACLU of New Hampshire.
“Granite Staters overwhelmingly support reproductive freedom and the right to abortion in New Hampshire and in every state across the country. They understand that access to basic and essential health care is fundamental to guaranteeing our personal freedoms and our ability to control our bodies, lives, and futures,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now. “SB 260 presents New Hampshire’s elected leaders with an opportunity to prove to their constituents that they work for them and not partisan agendas. The Senate must affirm abortion as health care, and as politicians, actively decide not to step in between health care decisions that should be made between a patient and their doctor. We urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to recommend in favor of this bill and collectively affirm abortion is health care.”
“New Hampshire law is silent regarding the right to abortion. While many lawmakers and candidates made promises last year not to further restrict abortion, they have yet to follow their words with actions. SB 260 affirms the freedom that an overwhelming majority of Granite Staters support and will provide clarity at a critical time. We urge both bodies to support SB 260.” Liz Canada, Advocacy Director, Planned Parenthood NH Action Fund.
Courtney Reed, Policy Advocate at the ACLU of New Hampshire, said, "Granite Staters overwhelmingly value bodily autonomy and support the right to access an abortion free from state interference. The bottom line is that the legislature simply is not more qualified to make decisions about reproductive health care than medical professionals and patients. This bill would ensure that we are able to get the care we need without worrying about threats to our health, freedom, or well-being."
Currently, New Hampshire is the only state in New England without explicit legal protections for abortion in its state law or constitution. As we continue to see anti-abortion legislators in New Hampshire trying to ban abortion at 15 weeks, ban traveling for abortion care, and pass additional legislation that will restrict access to abortion care, it is imperative that the New Hampshire lawmakers enshrine abortion protections into state law.
78% of Granite Staters believe that there should be a right to get an abortion in every state in the United States. If passed, SB260 would codify the right to abortion in New Hampshire, and send a message to Granite Staters that their elected leaders will stand up for their freedoms.
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