New Hampshire state nondiscrimination law explicitly protects transgender people in employment, housing, public spaces (including restrooms), and public schools. Transgender people are our friends, neighbors, family and co-workers. They work hard, attend school, serve in the military, and pay taxes. When they walk into a school, library, or business open to the public, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against.
About the Bill
HB 396 would allow for discrimination against transgender people by banning them from using restrooms or locker rooms and participating in sports that align with their preferred gender identity. Bans such as these prohibit transgender youth from participating in typical daily activities and make them feel unwelcome in their communities, which leads to poorer mental health outcomes.
Bill Status
The House passed HB 396 by a vote of 192-184. A vote of reconsideration failed by a vote of 190-197, so the bill crossed over to the Senate.The Senate also passed the bill by a vote of 14-10 on May 23, 2024.
On July 19, 2024, Governor Sununu vetoed HB 396. This means that the bipartisan protections that the Governor signed into law in 2018 will remain in place, protecting transgender people from discrimination in restrooms and locker rooms.
