CONCORD — Prohibiting sex acts between humans and animals had the unanimous support of a House committee Tuesday.

House Bill 1547 would make “bestiality” a crime because existing animal cruelty laws are ineffective in addressing the problem, supporters say.

On Tuesday, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee changed the bill to address concerns raised by farmers at a public hearing the day before, and then approved the new version on an 18-0 vote.

At the public hearing Monday, Nancy Holmes of New Boston told the committee the bill intrudes into normal animal husbandry practices, the breeding of hybrids between species and the transfer of animals for breeding.

Others said the bill makes exceptions for commercial breeders and veterinarians but not for farmers who want to breed their own animals or breed a horse and donkey to create a mule.

The committee also changed some definitions and clarified what would be a crime under the new legislation.

The prime sponsor of the bill, Rep. Katherine Rogers, D-Concord, told the committee at the public hearing that bestiality exists in the state and stronger protections are needed for animals.

New Hampshire is one of 10 states that do not specifically prohibit bestiality.

The House will vote on the bill later this month.

grayno@unionleader.com