HB 1367 establishes a new criminal offense for "doxing" in New Hampshire, defined as intentionally publishing another person's personal information (like addresses, phone numbers, or financial details) without consent to threaten, harass, or cause harm. It makes basic doxing a class A misdemeanor, escalating to a class B felony if it causes physical harm, over $1,000 in economic loss, or occurs as part of a pattern of harassment. Victims can also pursue civil lawsuits for at least $1,000 per violation, plus punitive damages, injunctions, and attorney fees. The law explicitly excludes lawful public records, consented sharing, reporting crimes to police, and protected speech like journalism.
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.
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.
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.
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.
