Criminal Justice

This bill requires New Hampshire state and local law enforcement officers who assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the federal 287(g) program to display their name or badge number, refrain from wearing facial coverings, and keep body-worn cameras active during these duties. It mandates that law enforcement agencies establish disciplinary measures for officers who violate these requirements and directs all complaints about violations to the state Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Unit for investigation. The bill applies only to officers participating in the 287(g) program and takes effect 60 days after enactment. It does not alter existing requirements for officers not engaged in federal immigration enforcement.

HB 1283 prohibits New Hampshire state agencies and law enforcement from using face recognition technology without a warrant supported by probable cause or under specific legal exceptions. It directly affects state departments, police departments, and municipal entities that previously used this technology for identification purposes. The bill makes evidence collected through unauthorized use inadmissible in court and imposes class A misdemeanor penalties for violations. Key provisions require warrants for any state use, ban access to facial databases by third parties, and establish strict evidence rules to prevent misuse. This bill aims to limit surveillance capabilities while protecting privacy rights through clear legal safeguards.

HB 1428 standardizes the process for submitting complaints about potential criminal misconduct by state, county, municipal, or local law enforcement officials to the Attorney General's Public Integrity Unit. It requires written complaints (via mail or email) with sufficient factual details, limits anonymous complaints (though confidentiality may be granted if practical), and mandates that all complaints undergo a preliminary review based on whether they show "reasonable suspicion" of criminal conduct. The bill specifies that complaints lacking adequate facts may be returned, and the unit must notify complainants in writing whether an investigation will proceed or if the matter is referred to another agency. This affects anyone filing such complaints, ensuring consistent handling of allegations against law enforcement officials.