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New HampshireSB5732025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

(New Title) establishing certification standards for certified public safety comfort dogs.

Sponsored By: Regina Birdsell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

On-duty access to public places

A certified facility comfort dog may go with its handler into any public facility, housing accommodation, or public place where the public is invited. This access applies while the handler is doing official duties or traveling to or from those duties.

Retirement plans for comfort dogs

Each agency that uses a facility comfort dog must have a safe and humane retirement policy. If a dog in training cannot meet standards, the policy must allow permanent ownership by a person or a return to the agency, non‑profit, business, or breeder.

Protections and no fake comfort dogs

It is illegal to block or interfere with a facility comfort dog team while they are doing official duties. It is also illegal to claim a dog is certified when it is not, including by using vests, collars, signs, or other gear.

Care, transport, and insurance rules

When traveling over 55 mph, the dog must be in a crate or tethered to a harness, not a collar. If left alone in a vehicle, a remote temperature sensor must be in place. A raw diet is never allowed. Prong or electronic collars and head halters are not allowed during AKC tests or when deployed. Owners must follow state and local dog licensing and rabies rules and fully insure the dog for its service career.

Training and certification for comfort dog teams

The law sets clear training rules for dogs and handlers. A dog must finish AKC CGC, CGCA, and CGCU by its second birthday. Dogs train at least one hour each quarter. Handlers train at least one hour each month and learn crisis response and canine first aid. Each team must retake CGC, CGCA, and CGCU every three years. Teams get one year from the law’s effective date to meet these rules. Agencies must keep records with dates, hours, training types, progress, fixes, and certification renewals.

What counts as official duties

The dog’s official tasks must tie directly to the handler’s emergency response or public safety role. Allowed work includes critical incident stress help, survivor support, school support, crisis response, community mental health support, and community relations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Regina Birdsell

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bill M. Gannon

    Republican • Senate

  • Donovan Fenton

    Democratic • Senate

  • Howard Pearl

    r • Senate

  • Michael I Moffett

    Republican • House

  • Ruth Ward

    Republican • Senate

  • Unknown sponsor (PersonID 11371)

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 267; Effective 08/31/2026

    7/9/2026Senate

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 52

    6/23/2026House

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14

    6/23/2026Senate

  4. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2145e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14

    6/10/2026Senate

  5. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2145e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 44

    6/10/2026House

  6. Sen. Pearl Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13

    5/21/2026Senate

  7. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1675h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 9

    5/14/2026House

  8. Amendment # 2026-1675h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 6

    5/14/2026House

  9. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1675h (NT) 04/29/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 19 P. 8

    5/1/2026House

  10. Executive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 229

    4/22/2026House

  11. Subcommittee Work Session: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 229

    4/22/2026House

  12. Subcommittee Work Session: 04/21/2026 01:15 pm GP 229

    4/16/2026House

  13. Subcommittee Work Session: 04/08/2026 10:00 am GP 229

    4/1/2026House

  14. Public Hearing: 04/01/2026 10:30 am GP 229

    3/24/2026House

  15. Introduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 8 P. 114

    3/16/2026House

  16. Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0683s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

    2/12/2026Senate

  17. Committee Amendment # 2026-0683s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

    2/12/2026Senate

  18. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0683s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6

    2/11/2026Senate

  19. Hearing: 01/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 1

    1/8/2026Senate

  20. Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1

    11/24/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • As Amended

    6/10/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    6/10/2026

    HTML

  • Introduced

    11/24/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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