Defend New Hampshire Against Assisted Suicide
Act now: sign in in opposition to HB 1283.
Once again, legislators are introducing an assisted suicide bill in Concord. HB 1283, relative to end of life options, would legalize physician-assisted suicide for those facing an illness which a physician has determined would be terminal within 6 months.
HB 1283 has been scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 7th at 10:00am in the Legislative Office Building, room 206-208.
Although the bill contains what some may feel are “reasonable” restrictions, we only need look to Canada, where over 4% of the population used assisted suicide to end their own lives in 2022, to see how ever-broadening criteria can lead to alarming numbers of assisted suicide deaths and normalize state-sponsored end of life measures.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Register your opposition to HB 1283 by signing in.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to sign in.
2. Submit written testimony. You can do this when you sign in. Simply hit “choose file” under step number four to upload a document with your testimony, or type your testimony into the provided box.
3. We urge you to come and testify in person, especially if you fall under or know someone who falls under any of the following categories:
- Someone who has struggled with suicidal ideation
- A member of the disability community
- A member of the brain injury community
- Someone who has cared for a terminally ill loved one or an elderly individual
We have step-by-step instructions on how to testify here. You can also reach out to us at cornerstone@nhcornerstone.org if you have any questions about the testifying process.
Important Note: Some have had issues with the House remote sign-in page. If you are encountering problems, you can also email the committee to directly register your support for the bill and/or submit written testimony. You can find their contact info here or email the full committee at
HouseJudiciaryCommittee@leg.state.nh.us
We urge you to mark your calendars and let us know if you can come testify. Assisted suicide should never be a course of action the state should promote. Caring, not killing, is the right approach when we’re faced with terminal illness or any distressing life situation.
Upcoming House Session; Call Your Representatives
Act now: contact your representatives and ask them to support HB 396, and oppose CACR 23
The NH House of Representatives will next meet on Thursday, February 1st. Two important bills will go before the full House that day: HB 396, relative to state recognition of biological sex, and CACR 23, relating to the right to abortion.
HB 396 is a straightforward bill that preserves the state’s ability to differentiate between biological sexes in areas such as athletic competitions, prisons, restrooms, or places of intimate privacy.
CACR 23 is a constitutional amendment that would allow for abortion up to the moment of birth. You can read more about both bills here.
We urge you to contact your representatives and ask them to vote NO on the reconsideration of HB 396 and vote NO on CACR 23.
Senate Judiciary Bills; Your Voice is Still Needed
Act now: contact the Senate Judiciary Committee to recommend they vote OTP (ought to pass) on SB 562 and SB 304 and vote ITL (inexpedient to legislate) on CACR 24.
In the coming weeks, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold an executive session on three critical bills:
- SB 562, relative to state recognition of biological sex.
- SB 304, clarifying a cause of action for medical injuries resulting from the administration or prescription of gender transition surgery, cross-sex hormones, or puberty-blocking drugs and providing protections for individuals who are undergoing medical detransitioning.
- CACR 24, providing that all persons have the right to make their own reproductive decisions.
We urge you to contact the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to vote OTP on both SB 562 and SB 304, and vote ITL on CACR 24. You can find more information on SB 562 and SB 304 here, and on CACR 24 here.
Support Parental Rights and Child Safety
Act now: sign in in support of SB 573
Senator Ruth Ward is introducing an important piece of legislation, SB 573, relative to parental consent for medical care. This bill requires that any person must obtain explicit consent from a parent before providing medical or mental health services to a child, unless there is an immediate threat to the child and their physical well-being.
This pressing piece of legislation would ensure that parents of children in school are consulted and consent prior to their child being treated by a school health clinic or mental health counselor. The bill includes a remedy for civil action for cases in which failure to obtain or violation of parental consent occurs.
SB 357 has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, January 25th, at 1:45pm in the State House, room 100.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Register your support of SB 573 by signing in to support the bill here.
2. Submit written testimony. You can do this when you sign in.
3. We urge you to come and testify in person. We have step-by-step instructions on how to testify here. You can also reach out to us at cornerstone@nhcornerstone.org if you have any questions about the testifying process.
Important Note: Some have had issues with the Senate remote sign-in page. If you are encountering problems, you can also email the committee to directly register your support for the bill and/or submit written testimony. You can find their contact info here.
