Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

died · New Hampshire · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 1142: relative to requirements for law enforcement officers assisting in immigration enforcement.

HB 1142 requires state, county, and local law enforcement officers participating in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program to identify themselves by name, badge number, and agency while operating under that agreement, and to remain unmasked during such operations. The bill directly affects officers in New Hampshire who assist with federal immigration enforcement through the 287(g) program. It establishes procedural requirements for transparency and accountability during these operations but does not change immigration enforcement policies or practices. The bill amends RSA 106-P and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires transparency in immigration enforcement operations, enhancing police accountability per 287(g) program85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires transparency in 287(g) enforcement, limiting secret operations and protecting immigrant rights during federal cooperation95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

passed · New Hampshire · Senate Aug 24, 2026

SB 410: relative to possession of human remains for law enforcement training purposes.

SB 410 authorizes New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to possess portions of human remains (such as tissue or bone) for training cadaver detection dogs, directly affecting law enforcement, funeral homes, and mortuaries. The bill requires written consent from next of kin or the deceased’s prior donation authorization, specifies the exact portions to be used, and mandates documentation retention. After training, all remains must be returned to a New Hampshire institution of higher education or a licensed medical waste disposal company. Agencies must also develop written policies covering consent, handling, storage, and final disposition, all to be submitted to the police standards council. The law takes effect 60 days after passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes law enforcement training with consent protocols, directly enhancing cadaver dog detection capabilities for investigations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Policing

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1641: relative to petitions for certain orders of protection where the subject of the order is either released on bail or on probation.

HB 1641 requires court clerks to send domestic violence, stalking, and civil restraining orders to prosecutors and probation officers within 24 hours when the person subject to the order is on bail or probation. This directly affects individuals under court supervision (bail or probation) who are named in such protection orders. The key mechanism mandates this rapid transmission to ensure law enforcement and probation officials are promptly notified. The bill would require 43 new full-time court positions for implementation, costing an estimated $1.76 million annually starting in 2027, though it does not provide funding for these positions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rapid notification of protection orders to probation/prosecutors for individuals on bail/probation, enhancing oversight and victim safety in criminal justice context92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1633: expanding the information provided to survivors of sexual assault regarding their existing rights.

HB 1633 requires health care providers, law enforcement, and other designated entities to provide sexual assault survivors with clear, written information about their existing rights regarding medical examinations and evidence preservation. The bill defines "sexual assault survivor" broadly to include individuals reporting non-penetrative assault, attempted rape (even without legal terminology), and deceased victims. It mandates the attorney general to post a simplified summary online detailing evidence collection timelines, preservation periods (up to 20 years or the statute of limitations), and survivors' right to request extended preservation of evidence kits. This ensures consistent, accessible information without creating new rights, focusing on transparency in how evidence is handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates clear rights information for sexual assault survivors, enhancing victim protections and system transparency within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

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

Track

signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1361: relative to the procedure concerning search warrant inventories.

HB 1361 modifies New Hampshire law governing search warrant inventories by requiring law enforcement officers to create inventories in the presence of the person searched (or a neutral witness if they're absent), rather than the warrant applicant. It also allows electronic inventories for digital evidence with officer verification, and specifies a standardized return form for warrant execution. The bill directly affects police officers executing searches and ensures clearer documentation for individuals whose property is seized. It takes effect January 1, 2027, as requested by the Department of Safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officer presence during search inventories with witness, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1203: relative to the return of firearms following a not guilty verdict or dismissal of the proceeding.

HB 1203 requires courts to immediately order the return of firearms or ammunition seized during a criminal case when the case ends in a not guilty verdict or is dismissed by the state. It mandates that law enforcement agencies must return the property within 24 hours of the court order, eliminating the need for background checks in these specific situations. The bill directly affects individuals whose firearms were temporarily seized as part of a criminal proceeding that did not result in a conviction. This policy change ensures a streamlined process for returning property without additional screening once a case concludes without a guilty finding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects defendant rights by requiring immediate firearm return after not guilty verdict, eliminating unnecessary background checks, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

passed · New Hampshire · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 1438: enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.

HB 1438 requires licensed mental health caseworkers in New Hampshire to report instances of animal abuse they learn about from clients, including cases of cruelty, neglect, or unsafe living conditions for animals. This applies specifically to professionals working under New Hampshire’s mental health licensing framework, who typically handle confidential client information. The bill mandates that reports be made to local law enforcement or the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NH SPCA), and explicitly protects caseworkers from legal liability when reporting in good faith. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting animal abuse (criminal offense) to law enforcement, directly supporting law enforcement's role in criminal justice enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

vetoed · New Hampshire · House Aug 19, 2026

HB 1766: relative to cruelty to livestock.

HB 1766 limits when animals can be taken from livestock owners during cruelty investigations. It requires the state veterinarian to accompany officers in livestock cases to confirm if immediate danger exists before confiscation, and prohibits taking animals unless someone is charged with cruelty or the animal faces imminent harm. The bill also mandates a court hearing within 14 days of confiscation, protects ownership rights for non-accused owners, and requires convicted individuals to cover costs for animal care during legal proceedings. This directly affects livestock owners, law enforcement, courts, and state veterinarians by setting clear rules for animal seizure and custody.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates court hearings, vet oversight, and protects ownership rights during cruelty investigations, enhancing procedural safeguards in law enforcement actions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

died · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1822: relative to reporting of civil immigration detentions by state, county, and local law enforcement and correctional facilities.

HB 1822 requires state, county, and local law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities to submit semi-annual reports to the Attorney General about individuals detained for civil immigration violations (including under immigration detainers or federal 287(g) agreements). Reports must include the number of people detained and the length of each detention, with the first reports due December 31, 2026. The Attorney General must then summarize this data in a semi-annual report to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, starting February 1, 2027. The bill imposes no new funding but notes potential administrative costs for the Attorney General’s office.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires transparency in immigration detentions by law enforcement, enhancing oversight and protecting civil rights through mandatory reporting of detention data.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires transparency in immigration detentions, limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement by mandating reporting on civil detentions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track