Criminal Justice

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

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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

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signed · New Hampshire · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 470: relative to the expungement of certain disciplinary matters.

SB 470 allows licensed professionals (like doctors, lawyers, or contractors) who faced minor disciplinary actions - such as reprimands, fines, or administrative penalties - to petition to have those records removed from public view. To qualify, they must have completed the disciplinary action over 3 years ago, have no further violations, no pending investigations, and maintain a good license standing. For cases involving only reprimands or fines, approval is automatic if requirements are met; for other cases, petitioners must show expungement aids rehabilitation without harming public safety. The bill does not cover cases involving permanent license revocation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows expungement of minor professional disciplinary records, reducing barriers to employment and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.90% confidence

Tags Licensing

failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1509: relative to judicial immunity and permitting civil actions against judicial officers for certain criminal bail decisions.

HB 1509 would remove judicial immunity for judges who make bail decisions under specific circumstances. It allows civil lawsuits against judges if they release a defendant for certain offenses (like violations of RSA 631:2-b, felonies, or crimes committed while on prior bail), the released defendant then commits a new crime or intentional tort, and another person suffers physical or financial injury as a result. Injured parties or their estates could sue, and courts would not apply judicial immunity in these cases. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not change bail standards but creates a new legal pathway for accountability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances judicial accountability in bail decisions, allowing civil suits when releases lead to harm, aligning with criminal justice reform by promoting oversight and victim protection.85% confidence

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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

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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

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died · New Hampshire · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 1235: legalizing certain quantities of cannabis.

HB 1235 legalizes possession and personal use of cannabis for New Hampshire residents aged 21 or older, with specific quantity limits: up to 2.5 ounces of flower/trim, 10 grams of concentrate, or products containing no more than 2,000mg THC. It defines key terms like "cannabis products" (including edibles) and excludes hemp (under separate law) and certain plant parts. Possession of small amounts by those under 21 remains a violation punishable by fines ($100-$300), not criminal charges. The bill shifts enforcement focus from minor cannabis offenses to serious crimes while establishing clear limits for adult use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes cannabis possession for adults (21+), replacing criminal charges with fines, reducing system burden and aligning with reform goals like reducing non-violent incarceration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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

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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

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