NH Lawmakers Call for Shield Law to Protect NH Providers and Patients
WATCH: Sen. Altschiller, Reproductive Equity Now, Lawmakers, and Advocates Host Press Conference in Support of NH Shield Law
TODAY 1:40 PM: Senate Judiciary Committee Hears Public Testimony on Shield Law
Concord, NH (February 11, 2026) — Today, Senator Debra Altschiller, alongside House Minority Leader Alexis Simpson , joined Reproductive Equity Now, health care providers, and advocates for a press conference in support of the Shield Law for Reproductive Health Care Access (SB 551), legislation that would protect patients and providers in New Hampshire from out-of-state political interference, intimidation, and legal threats related to reproductive health care.
The press conference comes ahead of today’s public hearing before the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee, scheduled for 1:40 PM. Watch the hearing live HERE.
“This bill makes one thing crystal clear: New Hampshire does not tolerate out-of-state actors trying to reach into our state and dictate our health care,” said Senator Altschiller, lead sponsor of SB 551. “New Hampshire — and only New Hampshire — decides how reproductive health care is provided and accessed within our borders. Across the country, we are seeing extreme attempts to criminalize patients and punish providers for lawful care. That is not who we are, and it is not what we will allow here. This Shield Law affirms our values, our sovereignty, and our commitment to protecting Granite Staters.”
“If legal reproductive health care is provided or accessed in New Hampshire, that care must be legally protected — full stop,” said Christina Warriner Hamilton, New Hampshire State Director for Reproductive Equity Now. “No out-of-state politician, prosecutor, or ideological actor should be able to override New Hampshire law or dictate what health care looks like here in the Granite State. Right now, patients and providers across the country are facing intimidation and legal threats simply for seeking or providing care. This Shield Law draws a clear line and brings much-needed certainty and protection. New Hampshire has both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead.”
Specifically, the Shield Law for Reproductive Health Care Access (SB 551) would:
Codify the right to reproductive health care services, inclusive of care and services to pregnancy, assisted reproduction, contraception, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy termination;
Ensure New Hampshire law governs in any case or controversy related to reproductive health care when provided by a licensed New Hampshire clinician within New Hampshire’s borders;
Prohibiting New Hampshire public officials from cooperating in any way with investigations related to reproductive health care or related activity;
Specifically prohibiting the Governor from extradition requests from other states related to reproductive health care activity;
Protecting providers from professional discipline and medical malpractice rate hikes if they are the subject of out-of-state litigation related to reproductive health care activity;
Establishing a cause of action for any person who is subject to abusive out-of-state litigation to pursue a civil action, giving defendants a remedy to seek damages and to deter abusive lawsuits.
A copy of the bill can be found HERE.
SB 551 has received full Senate Democratic support, with all Senate Democrats — including bill sponsor Senator Debra Altschiller — serving as co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (District 21) and Senators Donovan Fenton (District 10), Pat Long (District 20), Suzanne Prentiss (District 5), Tara Reardon (District 15), Cindy Rosenwald (District 13), and David Watters (District 4). The legislation is also co-sponsored by House Minority Leader Alexis Simpson (D-Exeter) and Deputy House Democratic Leader Laura Telerski (D-Nashua).
“New Hampshire should be the one to decide how health care is provided in our state — not politicians in other states who don’t live here and don’t represent our values,” said Senate Minority Leader Perkins Kwoka. “A Shield Law affirms that New Hampshire law governs New Hampshire, and it sends a clear signal that we protect patients and providers who are acting within our legal framework. We owe Granite Staters the certainty that their rights will be respected and upheld. This is about preserving personal freedom, privacy, and the ability to make decisions about health care without fear. I am proud to co-sponsor this common-sense legislation.”
“Protecting providers protects patients, and that principle is at the heart of this Shield Law. When doctors and health care workers can practice medicine without fear of retaliation or harassment, patients can access care without delay, intimidation, or risk,” said House Minority Leader Simpson. “New Hampshire is already facing a serious health care workforce shortage, and we cannot afford to lose more providers because of legal uncertainty. A Shield Law sends a clear message that our state supports lawful care and the people who provide it. This is about stability, safety, and standing up for New Hampshire’s values.”
In addition to Reproductive Equity Now, the Shield Law is supported by a broad coalition of reproductive health care advocates, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
“As a health care provider in New Hampshire, my job is to care for my patients — not to navigate political threats from other states,” said Dr. Julia Mead, OBGYN physician in New Hampshire. “Right now, providers across the country are being targeted simply for delivering evidence-based, lawful care. That uncertainty creates fear and delays that harm patients. A Shield Law would give providers like me the clarity and protection we need to feel safe and protected doing our jobs. Our patients deserve care without politics interfering.”
“While abortion is legal in New Hampshire, our current laws don't protect patients or providers from out-of-state political interference or intimidation. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England providers are already doing their jobs under uncertainty and fear — and the threat of out-of-state interference only makes that worse. Nearly 20 other states have similar laws ensuring providers can do their jobs without threats or intimidation from out-of-staters. It's time for New Hampshire to join them,” said Kayla Montgomery, VP of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
BACKGROUND
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, abortion policy has shifted sharply to state governments, resulting in a patchwork of laws across the country. Some states have prohibited or heavily restricted abortion, and others have taken steps to protect access. This has led to increasing legal conflicts between states, as providers and patients cross state lines for care and as restrictive states attempt to exert legal authority beyond their borders.
Politicians, judges, and other powerful actors in states across the country are actively working to criminalize providers for delivering abortion care — even in states like New Hampshire, where that care is legal. These efforts are designed to intimidate providers and restrict access across state lines.
New Hampshire is already facing a health care workforce crisis, with hospital closures and provider shortages limiting access to care. Without clear legal protections, abortion providers face added fear and uncertainty — making it harder to recruit and retain doctors and putting patients’ access at further risk.
A New Hampshire Shield Law would protect patients and providers, allow providers to do their jobs without fear or political interference, and make clear that New Hampshire doesn’t tolerate out-of-state efforts dictating our health care.
22 other states, varying on the political spectrum, have shield laws for reproductive health care.
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