Criminal Justice

passed · New Hampshire · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 257: relative to the crime of endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent.

HB 257 establishes a new criminal offense called "criminal neglect of a child" for caregivers (such as parents or guardians) who negligently fail to provide necessary care - including food, medical care, shelter, or protection from drugs - for reasons other than poverty, thereby endangering a child's physical, mental, or emotional health. Penalties range from a class A misdemeanor for basic violations to a class A felony if the neglect causes a child's death, serious injury, or repeat offenses. The law applies to anyone responsible for a child's welfare and will take effect on January 1, 2026. It also updates sentencing guidelines to include this offense for crimes against children under 13.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with felony penalties, expanding criminalization beyond existing laws.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 194: relative to the crime of interference with custody and relative to the practice of pharmacy and the dispensing of certain medications by pharmacists.

HB 194 amends New Hampshire law to clarify and strengthen criminal penalties for interfering with court-ordered custody arrangements. It makes it a class B felony to knowingly obstruct parenting time (e.g., by enticing a child to leave contact or retaining the child against a court order) or to take a child out of state without court permission during an active custody case. First or second violations of the out-of-state provision carry fines of $250-$500, while third or subsequent offenses become class B felonies. The bill includes an affirmative defense if someone was entitled to parenting time or acting to protect a child from immediate danger (with prior court petition documentation). This directly affects parents, guardians, or others involved in custody disputes who violate court orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for custody interference, expanding criminalization and increasing felony charges, aligns with 'oppose' indicators of increased penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 102: relative to oversight of federal law enforcement actions.

HB 102 requires New Hampshire county sheriffs to oversee all federal law enforcement actions within their counties. It mandates sheriffs to have a nonparticipating presence at all federal warrant services and arrests to uphold residents' rights and ensure minimal use of deadly force. Sheriffs must receive advance notice of federal actions and can deem unauthorized or improperly conducted actions (like those without notice or violating deadly force best practices) as unlawful, allowing them to terminate such actions. The bill directly affects county sheriffs, federal agencies operating in the state, and New Hampshire residents by establishing this oversight framework.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates sheriffs to oversee federal law enforcement actions, protect residents' rights, limit deadly force use, and enhance accountability - aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill mandates sheriffs to oversee federal immigration enforcement actions, requiring notice and blocking unauthorized/illegal actions, limiting federal overreach per immigration oversight indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 611: relative to repayment regarding appointed counsel for indigent criminal defendants.

HB 611 eliminates the requirement for indigent defendants in criminal cases to repay court-appointed legal fees. It removes all provisions allowing courts to collect repayment from defendants who qualify for free counsel due to financial inability, including repealing RSA 604-A:9 (which governed repayment) and related sections. The bill directly affects individuals who receive appointed counsel in criminal proceedings because they cannot afford private attorneys. This change ends the practice of seeking repayment through periodic installments or financial investigations, streamlining access to defense services without financial burden on qualifying defendants. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates repayment requirements for indigent defendants, removing financial barriers to legal representation and advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights of low-income defendants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 21, 2026

HB 109: relative to false reports to law enforcement.

HB 109 makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly report false information about police officer misconduct during official duties, and a class A misdemeanor for false reports about alleged criminal conduct by officers. The bill directly affects individuals who make false allegations against law enforcement officers, creating new criminal penalties for such false reports. Key provisions amend New Hampshire law to specifically criminalize false reports regarding officer misconduct (Section II, misdemeanor) or criminal conduct (Section III, class A misdemeanor). The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and does not impose direct fiscal costs on the state or local governments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes false reports against officers, potentially deterring legitimate misconduct allegations and weakening oversight of law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

signed · New Hampshire · House May 28, 2026

HB 59: relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer.

HB 59 creates felony-level assault charges for intentionally or recklessly causing serious injury to firefighters (including volunteer and on-call staff), emergency medical care providers, or law enforcement officers while they are performing their duties. It also establishes felony charges for assaults on law enforcement officers due to their employment, even when off-duty. The bill amends criminal code provisions to require warrantless arrests for these offenses and treats such violations as evidence of dangerousness. The law will take effect January 1, 2026, directly affecting these public safety professionals and their legal protections.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new felony assault charges for attacking first responders and officers, increasing penalties rather than promoting reform.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects first responders by imposing felony penalties for assaults during work duties, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for covered workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime Tags Public Safety

failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 298: creating an exception to the prohibition on removing VIN tags from vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 where removal is reasonably necessary for repair or restoration.

HB 298 creates a legal exception allowing owners or repair professionals to remove and reinstall a vehicle identification number (VIN) tag on cars manufactured before 1981 when necessary for repair or restoration. This directly affects classic car owners, restorers, and mechanics working on pre-1981 vehicles, who previously faced misdemeanor charges for removing VIN tags. The bill amends New Hampshire law to exempt such removals if they are reasonably necessary for repair, provided the vehicle isn’t stolen. It does not change requirements for newer vehicles or alter general VIN protection rules. The exception takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill eliminates misdemeanor charges for VIN tag removal during classic car repair, reducing unnecessary criminalization in vehicle law.95% confidence

Track

passed both · New Hampshire · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 298: relative to the scope of review of state agency interpretations, prohibiting the use of scented products in public areas of state buildings, and establishing a committee to study the implementation and effectiveness of the mandatory statewide certification process and operational standards for recovery residences.

SB 298 requires all sober living houses in New Hampshire to obtain certification from the New Hampshire Coalition of Recovery Residents (NH CORR), employ a paid house manager (not a current resident), and verify that new residents have completed or are in a recognized substance use disorder rehabilitation program. Existing uncertified houses must achieve certification within 180 days of the law’s effective date, or face penalties including $1,000 fines for first violations. Municipalities and the Department of Health and Human Services enforce compliance by requiring certification proof for zoning approvals and auditing records. The law aims to standardize safety and recovery support while ensuring houses operate under verified operational rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires rehab verification for sober living houses, promoting structured recovery programs to reduce recidivism and align with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Track

signed · New Hampshire · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 622: relative to the offense of identity fraud.

SB 622 expands New Hampshire's identity fraud law to explicitly protect businesses, government agencies, and other organizations (referred to as "entities") alongside individuals. It adds a clear definition of "entity" to include corporations, trusts, government bodies, and their departments, and updates the offense to cover fraud committed against these entities. The bill makes it a crime to obtain or use someone's personal information (like account numbers or passwords) without authorization to impersonate an entity or assist others in doing so. This change directly affects organizations that could face financial harm from identity fraud targeting their accounts or data. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state or local cost impact.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of identity fraud to cover entities, directly aligning with 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands identity fraud law to protect businesses/government entities from unauthorized use of personal data, strengthening data privacy safeguards per bill's explicit definition of 'entity'.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 1279: relative to the use of physical force in defense of a person.

HB 1279 modifies New Hampshire's self-defense law to clarify when physical force can be used against someone committing a felony. It specifies that force is justified if a person reasonably believes another is "likely to use any unlawful force in the commission of a felony" against them or a third person within their vehicle, dwelling, or immediate property (curtilage). The bill expands the legal standard by focusing on the likelihood of a felony occurring, not just an immediate threat. This change directly affects individuals defending themselves or others in their home, car, or nearby property during potential felony crimes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands self-defense rights by clarifying force justification for felony threats, protecting civil rights in criminal law. Aligns with 'support' indicator of protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms