NH HB580

Prohibits accused perpetrators of sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or domestic abuse from filing defamation lawsuits against victims who report such allegations, including when the accused is publicly named

Allows defamation claims only in two narrow circumstances: when the accused can demonstrate the alleged act was factually impossible for them to have committed, or when the victim has publicly stated the reported incident did not occur

Defines "reporting" broadly to include disclosures to authorities, human resources, press, social media, or telling another person

Awards court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, treble compensatory damages, and punitive damages to victims who prevail against retaliatory defamation lawsuits at any point in proceedings

Takes effect January 1, 2026, with fiscal impact under $10,000 annually through 2028