New Hampshire SB 501: relative to authorization of seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency by a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice registered nurse.

Bill Text

SB 501 - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2096

 09/08

SENATE BILL 501

AN ACT relative to authorization of seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency by a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice registered nurse.

SPONSORS: Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

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ANALYSIS

 This bill authorizes a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) to order seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency at New Hampshire hospital and other designated receiving facilities.

 The bill is a request of the department of health and human services.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2096

 09/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to authorization of seclusion or restraint during a personal safety emergency by a physician, physician associate, or advanced practice registered nurse.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Hampshire Mental Health Services System; Treatment Rights; Seclusion or Restraint. Amend RSA 135-C:57, V to read as follows: 

 V. Freedom from seclusion or physical or pharmacological restraint. Notwithstanding any state law to the contrary, seclusion or restraint shall be administered only by order of a physician, physician associate, or an APRN with the consent of the person, who has made an informed decision, or as a form of emergency treatment imposed by law or by rules, adopted by the commissioner under RSA 541-A. 

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.