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HB1276 • 2026

relative to the liability for death of a companion animal.

relative to the liability for death of a companion animal.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Travis Corcoran (R), Tom Mannion (R)
Last action
2026-03-05
Official status
HOUSE
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

relative to the liability for death of a companion animal.

relative to the liability for death of a companion animal.

What This Bill Does

  • relative to the liability for death of a companion animal.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-05 H

    Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 24

  2. 2026-02-26 H

    Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/13/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 9 P. 18

  3. 2026-02-05 H

    Public Hearing: 02/11/2026 11:00 am GP 230

  4. 2026-02-05 H

    Executive Session: 02/13/2026 10:00 am GP 158

  5. 2025-12-01 H

    Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Judiciary HJ 1 P. 13

Official Summary Text

relative to the liability for death of a companion animal.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB 1276 - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION
26-2846
08/09

HOUSE BILL
1276

AN ACT
relative to the liability for death of a companion animal.

SPONSORS: Rep. Corcoran, Hills. 28; Rep. Tom Mannion, Hills. 1

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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ANALYSIS

This bill allows for an economic award of up to $5,000 in the case of certain intentional or negligent killing of a companion animal.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2846
08/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT
relative to the liability for death of a companion animal.

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

1 New Section; Liability for Death of a Companion Animal. Amend RSA 508 by inserting after section 22 the following new section:
508:23 Liability for Death of a Companion Animal.
I. A person shall be liable for up to $5,000 in non-economic damages to the owner of a companion animal upon the death of a companion animal if such person causes the death of such companion animal through intentional or negligent conduct. If the death was caused by a negligent act, such act shall have occurred on the property of the owner of the companion animal while the companion animal was under the control of its owner or other caretaker. Noneconomic damages awarded pursuant to this section are limited to compensation for the loss of the reasonably expected companionship, love, and affection of a pet.
II. The limitation in paragraph I shall not apply to causes of action for intentional emotional distress or any other civil action other than the cause of action involving the direct and sole loss of a companion animal.
III. This action shall not:
(a) Apply to a nonprofit entity or governmental agency, or its employees, negligently causing the death of a pet while acting on behalf of public health or animal welfare.
(b) Authorize an award of noneconomic damages in an action for professional negligence against a licensed veterinarian.
(c) Apply to the killing of any dog as authorized under other titles.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027
.