Proposed 20 Week Abortion Ban Defeated in New Hampshire
House Republicans abandon unpopular, out-of-touch 20 week abortion ban proposal
Concord (March 12, 2026) – Today, Christina Warriner Hamilton, New Hampshire State Director for Reproductive Equity Now, released a statement after the New Hampshire House of Representatives abandoned a 20 Week Abortion Ban (HB 1590), legislation that would have further restricted abortion access in New Hampshire, by failing to advance it out of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
“We are relieved that an out-of-touch 20-week abortion ban has been defeated in the House. This legislative win is a testament to the thousands of advocates, health care providers, and citizens who raised their voices in support of abortion access and the freedom to make decisions about our own bodies,” said Christina Warriner Hamilton, New Hampshire State Director for Reproductive Equity Now. “Attempts to restrict abortion access are deeply out of step with the will of the people of New Hampshire. While we are glad to see this harmful proposal defeated today, we know the fight is far from over. Together, we’ll continue working to protect abortion access to ensure the health and safety of all Granite Staters.”
The 20 Week Abortion Ban (HB 1590) was introduced by Rep. Kevin Scully (R-Nashua). Last month, the House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on the legislation, where 1,744 constituents registered opposition to the bill, while only 16 registered support.
On the same day of the public hearing, the Committee voted 13-4 to not advance the bill (ITL). Read Reproductive Equity Now’s testimony delivered on this bill here.
Today was the last day for the House to act on bills not in a second committee. The House recessed before taking up HB 1590.
In states that have taken similar steps to give legal rights to fetuses under homicide laws, there has been a troubling rise in the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy loss, even when the law includes carveouts for abortion care.
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