LGBTQ+ bills to be considered in NH House and Senate

Four bills up for a full House vote this week would impact LGBTQ+ residents

New Hampshire’s 2024 legislative session kicked off Wednesday. Here are four bills up for a full House vote this week that would impact LGBTQ+ residents:
N.H. House Bill 619, called the “Protection Against Child Medical and Psychological Experimentation Act,” would prohibit the practice of and access to gender-affirming care for people under 18 and ban the affirmation of and education on LGBTQ+ identities in New Hampshire public schools. It also would change the definition of conversion therapy in the state, effectively re-legalizing it.
HB 368 would enact legal protections for out-of-state patients under the age of 18 accessing gender-affirming health care in New Hampshire, as well as for their providers. In addition to surgery, this care can include mental health counseling, puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy.
HB 396 would allow, but not require, private and public organizations to use biological sex as criteria for accessing gender-specific spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms or prisons. It would also allow biological sex to be a factor when separating athletes in sporting events or competitions “in which physical strength, speed, or endurance is generally recognized to give an advantage to biological males.”
HB 264 would simplify the process for someone to change the gender marker on their birth certificate in New Hampshire. Currently, a court order indicating that the individual has had surgery for their gender transition is required. If passed, the bill would repeal the original requirement and replace it with a notarized certification by a licensed health care provider affirming the person’s gender designation.
Also on the docket this year are two Senate bills, both of which are currently in committee.
N.H. Senate Bill 304 is in the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill would allow those who have undergone gender-affirming health procedures such as gender transition surgery, hormone therapy or puberty blockers and have since medically detransitioned to sue their former providers and/or the place where they received this type of care for medical negligence. It would also protect those who have medically detransitioned from discrimination based on their gender identity.
SB 341 is in the Senate Education Committee and will have a public hearing on Thursday. The bill would require all New Hampshire public school employees to respond within 10 days to written requests from parents about any information regarding their children. Opponents of the bill say this could negatively impact LGBTQ+ students who may not have disclosed their identity to their families.

James Rinker is The Sentinel’s digital community engagement journalist. He can be reached at jrinker@keenesentinel.com, or at (603) 355-8569. Follow them on Twitter @JamesRinkerKS

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