“A debate and vote on HB 1283 should be based on fact, not emotion, experience, not speculation,” writes Gordon.
“A debate and vote on HB 1283 should be based on fact, not emotion, experience, not speculation,” writes Gordon. Credit: Monitor file

At approximately 12:15 p.m. Thursday, midway through a debate on a controversial transgender sports ban, Sen. Denise Ricciardi, a Bedford Republican, passed out at the corner of the Senate floor.

Sen. Sue Prentiss, a West Lebanon Democrat and a paramedic, immediately rushed to Sen. Ricciardi’s side and called for bystanders to call 911 and fetch an AED. Within a few minutes, Sen. Ricciardi showed signs of movement and appeared to speak.

As of 12:30 p.m., the Senate was in recess and the floor and gallery had been cleared. 

Senate President Jeb Bradley thanked Prentiss, the State House Nurse Michelle Flanagan, the Senate staff, and Concord EMS for their efforts.

“Senator Ricciardi is conscious and has been taken to the hospital as a precaution,” Bradley said. “We wish her a swift and complete recovery.”

Jeremy Margolis is the Monitor's education reporter. He also covers the towns of Boscawen, Salisbury, and Webster, and the courts. You can contact him at jmargolis@cmonitor.com or at 603-369-3321.