Criminal Justice

died · New Hampshire · House Mar 4, 2026

CACR 23: relative to legislative oversight of the judicial branch.establishing legislative oversight of the judicial branch.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to establish legislative oversight of New Hampshire's judicial branch. It would create a commission (primarily composed of state legislators) with authority to investigate complaints against judges, hold hearings, recommend disciplinary actions (including censure, suspension, or removal), and publish annual performance reports. The measure directly affects judges and the judicial branch by shifting oversight from the current system (where the judiciary self-regulates, with impeachment as the sole remedy) to legislative authority. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, it would amend the state constitution to grant the general court this new power. The amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote in the election to take effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates legislative oversight commission for judges, enhancing accountability within courts (a criminal justice component) by enabling investigations and disciplinary actions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 10, 2026

HB 1651: establishing sexual assault orders of protection and relative to sexual assault survivors' rights.

HB 1651 establishes sexual assault protective orders, allowing survivors to file civil petitions in circuit court to obtain court-issued orders for their safety. These orders, modeled after existing protective orders under RSA 173-B, can last up to one year initially and be extended for up to five years with court approval, requiring annual safety reviews. The bill also updates survivors' rights by guaranteeing free preservation of sexual assault evidence kits for up to 20 years (or the statute of limitations, whichever is longer), disclosure of kit results without compromising investigations, and written information about kit handling procedures. It directly affects sexual assault survivors and defendants facing these orders, while clarifying that attorneys may contact survivors under strict conditions for legitimate legal purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes sexual assault protective orders and guarantees 20-year evidence preservation, directly strengthening survivor protections and victim rights within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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

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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

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1501: limiting judicial immunity.

HB 1501 limits judicial immunity in New Hampshire, allowing criminal prosecution or civil lawsuits against judges and other judicial staff for misconduct. It specifically removes immunity when actions exceed judicial duties, involve criminal conduct, intentional harm, or malicious abuse of authority. The bill affects judges, clerks, and administrative staff within the judicial branch who commit such acts. It does not change immunity for routine judicial decisions but creates new pathways for accountability in clear cases of overreach. The law takes effect upon passage and may require additional legal resources for the Judicial Branch.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates accountability for judicial misconduct, directly enhancing oversight in courts - key to criminal justice reform per topic description.90% confidence

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vetoed · New Hampshire · House Aug 20, 2026

HB 1422: relative to the time to petition for a new trial.

HB 1422 extends the deadline for filing a petition for a new trial beyond the standard three years in specific criminal cases. It applies to individuals convicted of a felony or class A misdemeanor who are incarcerated, subject to sentence terms, or facing collateral consequences, provided they allege newly discovered evidence and innocence. The petition must detail the new evidence, including results from new forensic testing or scientific analysis not available at trial. Courts must first verify the petition meets these conditions before granting a hearing, and the state must reactivate victim services during the case review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends deadline for new trial petitions with newly discovered evidence, enabling correction of wrongful convictions - directly aligns with criminal justice reform to protect defendant rights and ensure accuracy.90% confidence

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 10, 2026

HB 1522: relative to amending and adding definitions related to the protection of persons from domestic violence and relative to the domestic violence fatality review committee.

This bill amends New Hampshire's domestic violence law by adding "coercive control" to the list of behaviors courts can consider when issuing protection orders. Coercive control is defined as a pattern of behavior - including isolating a victim from support, controlling finances, monitoring communications, or threatening harm to pets/children - that causes a reasonable fear for safety. The bill directly affects victims of domestic violence and the courts handling protection order cases by expanding the types of abusive conduct that can be legally recognized. It does not change existing penalties or require new funding, as confirmed by the fiscal note showing no state revenue or expenditure impact.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds coercive control to domestic violence protection orders, strengthening court protections for victims and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 1116: relative to judicial privilege and relative to the litigation of small claims.

HB 1116 modifies two areas of New Hampshire law. It removes a judge's ability to refuse to testify in criminal cases when they have firsthand knowledge of relevant facts, after a court determines the testimony is material. The bill also requires courts to send written notice of small claims cases to defendants within 10 days of filing, by mail to their last known address, with a 30-day response window. These changes directly affect judges who might be subpoenaed for criminal testimony and defendants in small claims cases. The bill aims to improve transparency in criminal proceedings and streamline small claims litigation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves judicial privilege to refuse testimony in criminal cases with firsthand knowledge, enhancing transparency in criminal proceedings per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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failed · New Hampshire · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1686: relative to establishing an intelligent speed assistance program as an alternative to license suspension for certain motor vehicle offenses.

HB 1686 creates a program requiring drivers convicted of speeding over 100 mph (RSA 265:79) or habitual offenders with conditional driving privileges (RSA 259:39) to install speed-limiting devices on their vehicles instead of facing license suspension. The program, administered by the Department of Safety, mandates these "intelligent speed assistance" devices for 6 months to 2 years, with offenders covering all costs for purchase, installation, and maintenance. Drivers must keep the devices active; tampering or disabling them constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by additional penalties. This policy aims to address repeat speeding violations through technology-based monitoring rather than license revocation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces license suspension with tech-based rehabilitation for speeding offenses, reducing punitive measures and promoting compliance over punishment.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates speed-limiting devices for dangerous speeding offenses to enhance road safety, aligning with transportation safety indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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