Criminal Justice

in committee · New Hampshire · House Aug 24, 2026

HB 1587: requiring police body-worn camera footage be subject to the right-to-know law.

HB 1587 requires police body-worn camera footage to be disclosed under New Hampshire's public records law (right-to-know law), ending an existing exemption. It mandates that police departments respond to public requests for footage within 5 business days and remove private details like Social Security numbers, addresses, or images of minors before release. The bill repeals a prior exemption (RSA 91-A:5, X) that kept body camera videos from public access. This policy change applies to all law enforcement agencies in the state starting January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals exemption for body camera footage disclosure, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1070: relative to the involuntary emergency admission process.

HB 1070 mandates that individuals placed in protective custody for suspected mental health crises must be transported by ambulance to a hospital or designated mental health site for evaluation, rather than by law enforcement. This applies directly to people experiencing acute mental health emergencies who are deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill requires emergency medical technicians to provide care during transport, sets a 6-hour limit for protective custody, and allows law enforcement to override ambulance transport only if the individual poses a safety risk to medical personnel. It does not change eligibility criteria for involuntary admission but standardizes the initial transport process for mental health evaluations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts mental health crisis response from law enforcement to medical personnel, reducing criminalization of mental health issues and aligning with reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates medical transport (ambulance/EMTs) for mental health crises, sets 6-hour limit, requires medical care during transport, improving access to mental health evaluation and protecting patient rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Hospitals Mental Health

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House May 19, 2026

HB 1696: relative to the issuance of a summons instead of arrest.

HB 1696 allows police to issue a written summons instead of arresting someone for certain misdemeanors or violations (excluding abuse, protective order breaches, or stalking cases). It requires people released on summons to "remain of good behavior" - meaning they cannot commit any new felony, misdemeanor, or major traffic offense while awaiting court. Failing to appear or violating this condition becomes a separate misdemeanor offense, punishable by fines and potentially consecutive jail time. This directly affects individuals charged with minor offenses who are released with a summons instead of being jailed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill replaces arrests with summons for minor offenses, reducing pretrial detention and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to minimize unnecessary incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Policing

signed · New Hampshire · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 1373: relative to background check disqualifications for applicants seeking educator credentials.

HB 1373 expands background checks for individuals seeking teaching credentials in New Hampshire by adding specific crimes to the list that would disqualify applicants. It disqualifies applicants convicted of certain drug trafficking offenses (like RSA 318-B:2), sex offenses involving children (including RSA 650:2), or other serious violations listed in the bill within the last 10 years. This directly affects people applying for educator credentials who have these specific criminal histories. The bill modifies existing law (RSA 189:13-c) to include these additional disqualifying offenses, effective upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands disqualifying crimes for educators, restricting employment opportunities for those with certain criminal histories, opposing reform efforts that reduce barriers.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educator background checks to disqualify those with child sex offenses/drug trafficking, directly protecting student safety. Aligns with 'protect' under support for education topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Teachers

passed · New Hampshire · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 1216: relative to informed consent for law enforcement searches of houses or other property.

HB 1216 requires law enforcement officers to inform homeowners and property owners of their right to refuse searches before conducting warrantless searches of homes or other real property (like buildings permanently attached to land). The bill mandates officers explain that refusing consent cannot lead to arrest, detention, or criminal charges, and that refusal must end further questioning. It also requires documented consent - via signature on a form or video recording - and makes improperly obtained evidence inadmissible in court. This directly affects residents during police encounters and updates existing vehicle search consent rules to cover homes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to inform property owners of right to refuse searches, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability during warrantless entries.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

Track

passed · New Hampshire · Senate Aug 24, 2026

SB 467: relative to the penalty for certain fentanyl-related offenses and establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for the crime of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.

SB 467 increases penalties for fentanyl distribution by establishing mandatory minimum prison sentences: 3.5 years for 20 grams or more and 7 years for 50 grams or more (including mixtures). It also mandates a life sentence or long prison term for distributing non-fentanyl controlled drugs that cause death. Courts may reduce these sentences if defendants meet specific conditions, such as having no recent violent felony convictions, not using violence, and completing drug treatment or education. If reduced, defendants must serve at least 3 years of probation with drug testing, treatment, community service, and a suspended prison sentence.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates harsh mandatory minimum sentences (3.5-7 years) for fentanyl distribution and life terms for drug-related deaths, expanding criminalization per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1413: reinstituting the death penalty in cases of capital murder.

HB 1413 would reinstate the death penalty as a sentencing option for individuals convicted of capital murder in New Hampshire, replacing the current requirement of life imprisonment without parole. The bill amends RSA 630:1, III to allow courts to impose the death penalty in such cases, effective January 1, 2027. This change directly affects defendants found guilty of capital murder, who would now face the possibility of execution instead of mandatory life without parole. The bill does not alter the definition of capital murder but modifies sentencing authority for these specific offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill reinstates death penalty for capital murder, replacing life without parole, increasing sentencing severity. Opposes criminal justice reform by expanding harsh penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 1598: relative to notice and proceedings for tenants and landlords engaged in eviction processes.

HB 1598 creates a streamlined eviction process for landlords seeking to remove tenants who fail to pay rent or breach leases in ways affecting health/safety, criminal activity, or drug-related offenses. It requires landlords to provide a 5-day notice with a clear warning about the expedited timeline, giving tenants only 3 days to respond after court filing. If tenants don’t pay or vacate, courts must issue a writ of possession immediately without a hearing - unless the tenant pays all overdue rent within 48 hours. This process limits defenses to just rent payment or the alleged breach, blocking unrelated claims, and restricts stays of execution except for immediate payment. The bill applies to all landlords and tenants in qualifying eviction cases, effective January 1, 2027.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAccelerates evictions for criminal activity/drug offenses without hearing, expanding enforcement and reducing tenant due process - aligns with 'expands criminalization' oppose indicator.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill shortens tenant response time and removes hearings, weakening tenant protections in eviction processes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1608: relative to grand jury minutes and relative to the defense and indemnification of certain government officers and employees.

HB 1608 requires grand juries to appoint a clerk to preserve minutes of their proceedings, ensuring criminal defendants can access relevant grand jury minutes in their cases. It also expands state-funded legal defense and protection for local government attorneys - specifically assistant county attorneys, county attorneys, and municipal prosecutors - when facing complaints or investigations from licensing boards or regulatory agencies. This applies only when these officials act within their official duties, not in reckless or wanton ways. The bill may increase state costs for legal staffing and litigation, with estimated annual expenses ranging from $500,000 to $1 million, though it does not provide new funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures criminal defendants access to grand jury minutes (enhancing transparency and defendant rights), aligning with criminal justice reform indicators. Legal defense expansion for government attorneys is secondary and neutral.85% confidence

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1630: prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide and certain inhalants for recreational purposes.

HB 1630 prohibits businesses from selling nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") and specific inhalants like butyl nitrites for recreational use, creating a class A misdemeanor for violations. Key exceptions include medical use (e.g., by hospitals or dentists), food-related applications (like whipped cream cans), and industrial/automotive purposes. The law explicitly exempts sales of flavored whipped cream and substances sold for legitimate medical, food, or industrial purposes, but presumes recreational intent if products are marketed with food-like flavors. It takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state revenue or expenditure impact.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for recreational sales, expanding criminalization (indicator for oppose).85% confidence