Senate Republicans Allow Cruel, Anti-Family Bill to Remain in Committee
Contact Name: Marina Altschiller
Phone: (603) 271-3207
CONCORD – Today, Senate Republicans voted to re-refer HB 233, a bill to criminalize healthcare providers and limit the rights of grieving parents by legislating personal medical decisions. The re-referral recommendation will keep the bill in the Committee’s hands and keep it open for future amendment.
After the vote, Senate Judiciary members Senator Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton) and Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) and Deputy Senate Democratic Leader Senator Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) issued the following statement:
“There is nothing worth salvaging about a bill that would take away the last precious moments a parent has with their dying child,” stated Senator Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton). “The hearing on HB 233 made it abundantly clear, this cruel bill has no place in New Hampshire and I am extremely disappointed that the conversation is being forced to continue.”
Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) added, “This bill operates under the false pretense that our medical providers are leaving newborn babies to die. That idea is blatantly untrue and already illegal. This bill deserved to be voted Inexpedient to Legislate as it will insert the legislature into the most private, personal, medical decision of a person’s life.”
Deputy Senate Democratic Leader Cindy Rosenwald (D-Nashua) added, “In the public hearing on HB 233 we heard heartbreaking stories from parents and doctors about the last moments before a baby passes away. These babies were wanted, were hoped for, were prayed for, and were gone far too soon. To even consider a measure that would inflict pain on dying infants and take them out of their parents arms in order to provide futile medical services is unthinkable.”
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