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HB 602 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Victim impact program for offenders

AI-generated

requiring certain offenders to participate in a victim impact program.

Requires offenders convicted of certain impaired driving laws to participate in an online victim impact panel program.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires offenders of certain laws related to impaired driving to participate in an online victim impact panel program.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Any person who pleads guilty to an offense under this section that was originally charged with an offense under RSA 265-A:2 or RSA 265-A:3 shall be required to complete a qualified online victim impact panel program, as defined in RSA 265-A:1, VII, unless the court determines that exceptional circumstances exist. 71:6 Serious Traffic Offenses;”
RSA 265:79
“Whoever upon any way drives a vehicle negligently or causes a vehicle to be driven negligently, as defined in RSA 626:2, II(d), or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property shall be guilty of a violation and shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $500 for a first offense and not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense.”
RSA 265:79-b
“Any person who pleads guilty to an offense under this section that was originally charged with an offense under RSA 265-A:2 or RSA 265-A:3 shall be required to complete a qualified online victim impact panel program, as defined in RSA 265-A:1, VII, unless the court determines that exceptional circumstances exist. 71:7 Effective Date.”
RSA 265:79-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Nancy MurphyDPrime
  • Rep. David MeuseDDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD

Public testimony

61 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

93% support7% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The individual required to participate4 in these/this program(s) will pay for the program; correct? The State should not be paying for this.”
— Gordon Springate, wiltonsupports
“I can't imagine the horror of losing a loved one by an impaired driver. This bill may save lives!”
— Ann Noyes, Bedfordsupports
“I think it is a wonderful idea to do something proactive in addition to their criminal penalty for those who violate the law to prevent repeat offending. I support this bill.”
— Jenna Hardy, Merrimacksupports
“This bill would create even further homelessness in an already critical housing crisis and allow for widespread discrimination. It's important to keep safeguards in place to protect vulnerable populations.”
— Susan Shaw, Keeneopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 19, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1096h16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-1096hadopted
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1096hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 1, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety50:43–56:075m 24slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety23:44–24:511m 7slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1096h; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1096h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1096h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 17, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary28:46–35:426m 56slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 3 P. 18
  2. Feb 6, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/06/2025 10:45 am LOB 202-204
  3. Feb 12, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/12/2025 10:45 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 14, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/14/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  5. Mar 19, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  6. Mar 19, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1096h 03/19/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 17 P. 10
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1096h: AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 13
  8. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1096h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 13
  9. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 10
  10. Apr 17, 2025SenHearing: 04/17/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 17
  11. May 1, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 19
  12. May 1, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  13. May 22, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 15
  14. May 22, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 51
  15. Jun 2, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/02/2025; Chapter 71; eff. 01/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.