Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

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

passed both · New Hampshire · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 409: relative to the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer and relative to liability of governmental units.

SB 409 amends penalties for disobeying law enforcement officers during traffic stops or pursuits. It increases penalties for specific violations: disobeying orders to stop (subparagraph I(c)) now carries a class B felony if a motor vehicle accident causes serious injury, and a class A felony if the accident causes death or injury to another person. The bill directly affects drivers who refuse to comply with officers during traffic enforcement, particularly in situations involving collisions. These changes enhance criminal penalties for dangerous disobedience during pursuits, without adding new financial costs to state or local governments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony penalties for traffic stop disobedience, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill's amended penalties for collisions.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for traffic disobedience causing accidents, directly enhancing road safety during traffic enforcement per bill's focus on collision-related violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Traffic Safety

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 1609: limiting the use of state, county, and municipal funds and property for construction and operation of certain immigrant detention facilities.

HB 1609 prohibits New Hampshire state, county, and municipal governments from using public funds or property to build, operate, or pay for immigrant detention facilities, particularly those managed by private companies. It bans spending on construction, renovation, repurposing public property for detention, selling public property for such use, and making payments to private detention operators. The bill does not affect existing 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities or the provision of health and safety services to detained individuals. Counties may face potential revenue losses if they stop cooperating with federal immigration programs, but municipalities are not expected to have financial impacts.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts public funds for detention facilities, defunding a specific government spending area per its prohibition on using state/municipal funds for such operations.90% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDefunds immigrant detention facilities, restricting public funding for correctional facilities under criminal justice system.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits state funds for immigrant detention facilities, restricting state-level immigration enforcement. Explicitly limits public funding for detention operations, aligning with 'defund' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1570: relative to governmental budget authority for agreements for law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration enforcement.

HB 1570 requires New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to obtain written approval from their local budget authority before entering federal immigration enforcement agreements (Section 287(g) agreements with ICE). The budget authority must review the agreement, consider the estimated yearly cost to the agency (including employee hours), and notify residents before authorizing participation. Agencies must submit quarterly reports detailing costs, officer activities, and federal reimbursements, and the budget authority can terminate the agreement at any time due to cost concerns. Failure to comply results in the state withholding all state funding from the agency.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts local law enforcement from entering federal immigration agreements without budget approval and reporting, limiting their participation in federal enforcement activities.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires written approval and cost review for law enforcement to enter federal immigration agreements, limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement, an indicator of support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1556: relative to the commission of domestic violence offenses in the presence of a child.

HB 1556 increases penalties for domestic violence offenses committed in the presence of a child under 18, directly affecting perpetrators convicted under New Hampshire law (RSA 631:2-b). It raises maximum jail time for class A misdemeanors from 1 year to 18 months and adds a mandatory 30-day minimum sentence for all qualifying offenses. The bill also requires law enforcement to report child presence at domestic violence scenes and mandates police training on identifying child exposure, while clarifying that the law does not criminalize victims or impact parental fitness. Courts must consider the child’s age, psychological impact, and defendant history when sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory minimum sentences and maximum penalties for domestic violence involving children, opposing reform by harshening sentencing standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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failed · New Hampshire · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 465: classifying xylazine as a schedule III controlled drug.

SB 465 classifies xylazine - a veterinary sedative sometimes misused in illicit drug mixtures - as a Schedule III controlled substance under New Hampshire law. This change permanently places xylazine in Schedule III (a category for drugs with moderate abuse potential and accepted medical uses) via statutory amendment, overriding the commissioner’s authority to schedule it through rulemaking. It directly affects individuals and entities handling xylazine in New Hampshire, including healthcare providers, law enforcement, and pharmacies. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, with no estimated state revenue or expenditure impact.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by classifying xylazine as Schedule III controlled substance, subjecting non-medical use to criminal penalties. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 553: relative to penalties for attempting to elude pursuit by law enforcement.

SB 553 increases penalties for drivers who willfully attempt to evade law enforcement by speeding, turning off headlights while moving, or abandoning their vehicle during a chase. Offenders will face a mandatory 5-day jail term (with no probation or deferred sentencing) and a driver's license suspension of at least six months. This law directly affects individuals who use these specific tactics to avoid police pursuit. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates 5-day jail with no probation for evasion, increasing mandatory sentences per criminal justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1291: criminalizing the use of small unmanned aircraft systems for the purposes of flying over critical infrastructure and events without authorization.

HB 1291 would make it a class A misdemeanor to operate a small drone without permission over large public gatherings (like sports events, concerts, or festivals) or over critical infrastructure, such as power plants, water treatment facilities, military sites, or government buildings. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" to include specific facilities like petroleum refineries, electric substations, and public safety buildings. This law would take effect on January 1, 2027, and applies to all drone users who fly without prior authorization in these scenarios. The bill does not require new funding but may impact law enforcement and court processes if violations occur.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new misdemeanor offense for unauthorized drone use over infrastructure/events, aligning with OPPOSE indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1238: relative to the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer.

HB 1238 amends New Hampshire law (RSA 265:4) to increase penalties for disobeying law enforcement officers. It reclassifies certain violations as class A misdemeanors (for offenses under subparagraphs I(a), (b), (d), (e), (f)) and upgrades penalties for violations involving motor vehicle accidents: a class B felony if serious injury occurs during pursuit (subparagraph I(c)), and a class A felony if injury or death results. This directly affects individuals who refuse to comply with officers during traffic stops or investigations, particularly when accidents happen while fleeing. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and was requested by the Department of Safety.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for disobedience, expanding criminalization and reducing defendant rights per amended RSA 265:4.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for disobeying officers during traffic enforcement, enhancing road safety standards by deterring dangerous non-compliance during pursuits involving motor vehicles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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