New HampshireClinicians could order seclusion or restraint during emergencies
At New Hampshire hospitals and designated facilities, certain clinicians could order seclusion or restraint with a person’s informed consent or as emergency treatment allowed by law or agency rules.
What it does
The proposal would let a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice nurse order seclusion or restraint, with the person’s informed consent or as emergency treatment allowed by law or agency rules.
Argument forCare teams could respond to a personal safety emergency by having a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice nurse order seclusion or restraint.
Argument againstPatients might have less say over seclusion or restraint when it is imposed as emergency treatment under law or agency rules.
More detail
A physician, physician associate, or advanced practice registered nurse could order seclusion or restraint. The provision concerns New Hampshire hospitals and other designated receiving facilities. The person must consent after making an informed decision, unless seclusion or restraint is imposed as emergency treatment under law or rules adopted by the commissioner. If passed, the act would take effect 60 days after passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Died on table
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 19Died on Table, Session ended 08/19/2026 HJ 16Died on table
- May 7Lay SB501 on Table (Rep. W. MacDonald): MA RC 188-154 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 31Minor
- Vote recorded Table. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
- Apr 22Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/15/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 18 P. 14Minor
- Apr 7Executive Session: 04/15/2026 10:00 am GP 158
- Apr 1Public Hearing: 04/08/2026 11:00 am GP 158
- Feb 26Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 5 P. 124Minor
- Feb 19Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4Passed Senate
- Feb 12Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6Minor
- Feb 5Hearing: 02/11/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 5
- 2025
- Nov 21Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1Introduced
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