The New Hampshire Senate voted 16-8 against SB551, a bill that would have established abortion as a state-protected right and provided legal shields for abortionists, including those performing abortions on out-of-state women or shipping abortion pills across state lines.
Abortionists argued the bill would attract medical professionals amid a national OB/GYN shortage, but opponents highlighted that most doctors do not perform abortions and that the law could endanger patients by allowing unrestricted procedures and mail-order abortion drugs.
Abortion remains legal in New Hampshire through 24 weeks, but SB551 would have removed limits on timing, purpose, and cross-state provision of abortion services, while protecting providers from civil and criminal liability. Critics cited risks of complications from abortion pills, particularly when obtained via telemedicine, and raised concerns about safeguarding patients.
More details here.