Criminal Justice (Corrections)

vetoed · New Hampshire · House Aug 19, 2026

HB 1442: permitting classification of individuals based on biological sex under certain limited circumstances.

HB 1442 requires public schools and municipal buildings to designate bathrooms and locker rooms by biological sex (male/female), rather than gender identity. It redefines "gender identity" to exclude using it for accessing spaces designated for females, and creates "willful trespass" for males entering female-designated facilities (with exceptions for emergencies or supervision). The bill also mandates correctional facilities house inmates by biological sex and limits gender identity protections in civil rights enforcement. It directly affects public school students, municipal building users, correctional facility inmates, and businesses operating public accommodations. The law uses biological sex (based on chromosomes/SRY gene) as the standard for facility access and definitions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates correctional facilities house inmates by biological sex, limiting gender identity protections. This restricts inmate rights in corrections, a core criminal justice component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 10, 2026

HB 1576: relative to the enforcement of criminal restitution obligations.

HB 1576 modernizes New Hampshire's criminal restitution system by requiring annual financial reviews of offenders to ensure payments align with their current ability to pay. It mandates automatic payment increases when offenders gain income (e.g., raises, inheritances) and retroactively applies these changes, with victims notified immediately. The bill adds enforcement tools like wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension for nonpayment, plus interest and penalties for intentional avoidance. Victims must receive quarterly payment updates and written notice of any delays or enforcement actions, with restitution funds disbursed within 45 days of receipt. This directly affects offenders ordered to pay restitution, victims awaiting payments, and the Department of Corrections as the enforcement agency.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeModernizes restitution enforcement to ensure victim payments align with offender ability, adding wage garnishment and automatic adjustments - protects victims' rights in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

died · New Hampshire · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1061: establishing a commission to study alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers.

HB 1061 establishes a commission to study alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers, such as parents of young children. The commission, made up of lawmakers, state agency representatives, and community experts (including formerly incarcerated individuals), will examine current sentencing impacts on families and identify community-based options like home confinement or treatment programs. It must submit a report with recommendations by November 1, 2026, but the bill itself does not change current laws or policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill studies alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent primary caregivers, promoting reform to reduce prison reliance and support family stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 1173: relative to post-secondary education opportunities for inmates.

HB 1173 allows New Hampshire's commissioner of corrections to release inmates from state prison at any time during their sentence to attend community college or university programs for which they've been accepted. This directly affects incarcerated individuals in New Hampshire state prisons who are accepted into post-secondary education. The bill requires the commissioner to notify the sentencing court and prosecutor before release, who may object within 10 days; if objected to, a court hearing determines approval. Time spent in education outside prison counts fully toward the inmate's sentence, and the commissioner may recall the inmate if community safety is threatened.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables inmate education programs to reduce recidivism, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform by expanding post-secondary opportunities in state prisons.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands post-secondary education access for incarcerated individuals by enabling prison release for college programs, directly advancing educational opportunity for a marginalized group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole Higher Education

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1067: relative to the mental health courts.

HB 1067 establishes a state grant program to fund new mental health courts in New Hampshire, requiring counties, districts, or non-profits to apply through a standardized process managed by the judicial branch's Office of the Statewide Treatment Courts. The bill revises mental health court procedures to allow judges to dismiss charges or withhold prosecution upon successful completion of treatment programs, while mandating risk and clinical assessments for participants. It requires the judicial branch to develop application standards, track outcomes like recidivism, and provide training to ensure program effectiveness. The goal is to reduce incarceration costs and improve treatment access for individuals with mental illness through structured court interventions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes grants for mental health courts, allowing charge dismissal upon treatment completion to reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation through clinical assessments.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health courts via state grants, allowing treatment completion to dismiss charges, directly advancing mental health services and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Mental Health

Track

passed both · New Hampshire · House May 21, 2026

HB 1423: relative to the offense of improper influence and making synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research.

HB 1423 expands New Hampshire's "improper influence" law to include threats against the immediate family members (spouses, children, parents, siblings, or household members) of public servants, party officials, or voters. It makes threatening harm to these family members a class B felony, imposing mandatory minimum penalties: at least one year in prison and $1,000 in fines for each person threatened. These penalties must be served consecutively for multiple victims and cannot be reduced or suspended. The bill directly affects individuals who attempt to influence public officials' decisions through coercion targeting their families, with no direct state or local cost impact noted.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of threats against family members with mandatory minimums, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Track

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

Track

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

Track

failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1465: establishing mandatory reporting of civil rights violations committed by members of the judiciary.

HB 1465 requires certain state employees, including court staff, judges, attorneys, and bar association members, to report suspected civil rights violations or breaches of judicial conduct rules committed by judicial branch members. If they have reasonable cause to believe a violation occurred (e.g., in person or reported to them), they must immediately notify the Attorney General’s office. Failure to report is punishable as a misdemeanor, with a $1,500 fine and up to one week in jail. The Attorney General forwards reports to the court administrative office, county sheriffs, and the chief justice, while protecting good-faith reporters from retaliation. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting of judicial civil rights violations, enhancing accountability within courts and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

Track

signed · New Hampshire · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 620: relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated.

SB 620 increases license suspension periods for drivers who refuse alcohol testing and modifies penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated (DWI). For a first refusal of testing, license suspension rises from 180 days to 12 months; for repeat offenders with prior DWI convictions or refusals, it increases from 2 to 3 years. The bill also adds new requirements for aggravated DWI convictions, including a mandatory 17-day jail sentence (suspensible), a substance use disorder evaluation within 60 days of release, and installation of an ignition interlock device. These changes directly affect drivers arrested for DWI who refuse testing or are convicted of aggravated DWI offenses. The policy focuses on stricter consequences for refusal and repeat offenses, with court discretion to suspend up to 6 months of license revocation if treatment requirements are met.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases license suspensions and mandates mandatory jail time for DWI offenses, expanding penalties without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts