Some Republicans propose 15-week abortion ban; Ayotte pledges veto

House Bill 476 would make abortions after 15 weeks of a fetus’ gestational age illegal. (Photo by Dave Cummings/New Hampshire Bulletin)

A group of House Republicans is proposing a ban on abortions after 15 weeks, with exceptions, even as Gov. Kelly Ayotte has vowed to veto any bills that create further restrictions.

House Bill 476 would make abortions after 15 weeks of a fetus’ gestational age illegal, with exceptions for the life of the mother and for fatal fetal abnormalities. The bill would not include exceptions for pregnancies caused by incest or rape. 

Since 2021, New Hampshire has had a ban on abortions after six months – 24 weeks – of a fetus’ gestational age, with the same exceptions for the life of the mother and fatal fetal anomalies. 

This year’s bill is sponsored by Rep. Katy Peternel, a Wolfeboro Republican, and co-sponsored by eight other Republicans. It comes as Cornerstone Action, a religious liberty advocacy group, has called for the Legislature to tighten the six month ban. 

But the measure does not appear to have the support of House Republican leadership, creating doubts for its political future. 

During the 2024 election season, House and Senate Republican leaders pledged they would not pass further restrictions on abortions after Republicans passed the six month ban in 2021. And Ayotte, a Republican, said repeatedly she would not change abortion laws either. 

In her inaugural speech given to lawmakers, Ayotte repeated that pledge.

“I know it’s been a few months since there have been all those ads on the TV, but if you send me legislation that further restricts access to abortion beyond our current law, I will veto it,” she said. 

She received a standing ovation from most of the House Republicans in the room.