Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

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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died · New Hampshire · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1302: relative to post-arrest photograph distribution by law enforcement officers.

HB 1302 prohibits law enforcement from publicly releasing mugshots of individuals arrested for nonviolent offenses before they are convicted. This applies to all such photographs taken during arrest, with exceptions only for immediate public safety threats (e.g., locating a dangerous suspect) or when a defendant fails to appear in court after bail. The bill also specifies that these restrictions do not apply to individuals unlawfully present in the U.S., who may have mugshots released regardless of conviction status. Law enforcement must document any permitted release, including the reason and recipient. The policy aims to reduce reputational harm for unconvicted individuals while maintaining public safety exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts pre-conviction mugshot releases for nonviolent offenses, protecting defendants' rights and reducing stigma - core criminal justice reform principle.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill explicitly excludes 'unlawfully present in U.S.' from mugshot privacy protections, limiting immigrant rights as defined by immigration status.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts public release of arrest photos, enhancing data privacy protections for nonviolent offenders.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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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 Feb 19, 2026

HB 1740: relative to the protection of persons from domestic violence.

HB 1740 updates New Hampshire's domestic violence protection laws to strengthen victim safety and law enforcement response. It requires police to immediately investigate all abuse reports, create written reports within 24 hours, and mandate arrests when probable cause exists - regardless of whether the abuse was witnessed. The bill also establishes a new domestic violence law enforcement training fund and clarifies that civil protective orders must follow criminal proceedings, not replace them. These changes directly affect victims of domestic violence, law enforcement agencies, and courts handling such cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police investigations, arrests on probable cause, and law enforcement training to strengthen victim safety and accountability in domestic violence cases, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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died · New Hampshire · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 1084: relative to the relinquishment of deadly weapons by those subject to a domestic violence protective order.

HB 1084 requires individuals subject to a domestic violence protective order in New Hampshire to immediately surrender all firearms, ammunition, and deadly weapons to law enforcement officers. The bill directly affects people ordered to relinquish weapons under protective orders (RSA 173-B:4 or 173-B:5), making surrender mandatory rather than discretionary. Key provisions include replacing "may" with "shall" for weapon relinquishment, prohibiting refusal (with immediate detention for non-compliance), and requiring courts to issue search warrants if weapons remain unturned over. This bill strengthens enforcement of existing protections by ensuring weapons are removed from individuals deemed a threat under domestic violence orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates immediate firearm surrender for domestic violence protective order subjects, enhancing victim safety and preventing gun violence. Aligns with criminal justice reform by strengthening protections and reducing recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Law Enforcement

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1632: relative to the lethality assessment program screening tool.

This bill requires all New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to use a standardized lethality assessment tool (LAP) during responses to suspected domestic violence incidents, violations of protective orders, and stalking cases involving domestic violence. It mandates that officers administer the LAP screening with victims and submit the results to the court at the defendant's arraignment. Currently, participation in the LAP program is voluntary, with only about 45% of departments reporting data; this bill makes statewide use mandatory. The policy directly affects police departments, victims in these cases, and court proceedings by ensuring consistent assessment of risk during critical early stages of investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates standardized lethality assessment for domestic violence cases, enhancing victim safety and court decision-making in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1642: relative to extreme risk protection orders.

HB 1642 establishes a new legal process for courts to issue temporary orders restricting access to firearms for individuals deemed to pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. Eligible petitioners - including family or household members, intimate partners, or law enforcement officers - must file a court petition with a sworn affidavit detailing specific safety concerns, such as recent threats or dangerous behavior involving firearms. The court may issue an initial temporary order without the person at risk being present, followed by a prompt hearing where they can respond. The order requires the individual to surrender firearms and ammunition and remains in effect until the court decides otherwise, prioritizing public safety while ensuring due process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes court process for firearm restrictions to prevent violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing harm through proactive measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

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passed · New Hampshire · House May 5, 2026

HB 1631: relative to the contents of the attorney general's annual report detailing state forfeiture information for the preceding fiscal year.

HB 1631 requires the New Hampshire Attorney General to publish a detailed annual report on the state's property forfeiture activities within 120 days after each fiscal year ends. The report must include specific data for each seizure, such as the law enforcement agency involved, date and location, type and value of property (excluding contraband like drugs), related criminal case details, and outcomes (e.g., conviction or dismissal). Law enforcement agencies must provide this information in disaggregated form to the Attorney General's office. The bill directly affects the Attorney General's office (which must compile and publish the report) and local law enforcement agencies (which must supply the data). This expands reporting requirements beyond current law to increase transparency about how seized property is handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires transparency in property forfeiture reporting, enhancing law enforcement accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Data Reporting

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