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HB1279 • 2026

(Second New Title) relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

(Second New Title) relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Yury Polozov (R), Donald McFarlane (R), James Thibault (R), Cyril Aures (R), Matt Sabourin dit Choinière (R), Terry Roy (R), Lino Avellani (R), Shane Sirois (R), Victoria Sullivan (R), Henry Giasson (R)
Last action
Official status
PASSED
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.

(Second New Title) relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

(Second New Title) relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

What This Bill Does

  • (Second New Title) relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

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

No action history is stored for this bill yet.

Official Summary Text

(Second New Title) relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
HB 1279 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES

05/14/2026 1545s
05/14/2026 1944s
4Jun2026... 2115CofC
4Jun2026... 2186EBA
2026 SESSION
26-2855
09/08

HOUSE BILL
1279

AN ACT relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

SPONSORS: Rep. Polozov, Merr. 10; Rep. Aures, Merr. 13; Rep. Avellani, Carr. 4; Rep. Giasson, Hills. 29; Rep. McFarlane, Graf. 18; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Sirois, Hills. 32; Rep. Thibault, Merr. 25; Rep. Roy, Rock. 31; Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill modifies the standard for when force can be used against someone likely to use unlawful force in the commission of a felony.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
05/14/2026 1545s
05/14/2026 1944s
4Jun2026... 2115CofC
4Jun2026... 2186EBA 26-2855
09/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

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

1 Physical Force in Defense of a Person. Amend RSA 627:4, II(d) to read as follows:
(d) Is likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony against the actor
or a third person
within such actor's dwelling or its curtilage.

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