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SB 267 · 2025 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Fine for patronizing prostitution

AI-generated

relative to the penalty for engaging in prostitution as a patron.

Establishes a mandatory $500 fine for patronizing prostitution, directed to the human trafficking collaborative task force, and raises the penalty for paying or offering to pay for sexual contact from a misdemeanor to a class A misdemeanor.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 29, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a mandatory $500 fine for engaging in prostitution as a patron, in addition to any other penalty, and directs that the funds are to be forwarded for use in the victims' assistance fund.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Donovan FentonDPrime
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader

Also: Sen. Pat LongD, Rep. Nancy MurphyD

Public testimony

20 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

55% support40% oppose5% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“My name is Sonia Powell, and I have been a resident of Nashua, NH for over 40 years. I am writing in support of SB 267 relative to the penalty for engaging in prostitution as a patron.…”
— Sonia Powell, Nashuasupports
“My name is Wilson Powell Jr, and I have been a resident of Nashua, NH for over 40 years. I am writing in support of SB 267 relative to the penalty for engaging in prostitution as a patron.…”
— Wilson Powell, Jr, Nashuasupports
“My name is Olivia Powell, and I am a former NH resident. I am writing in support of SB 267 relative to the penalty for engaging in prostitution as a patron.…”
— Olivia Powell, Nashuasupports
“Perhaps the legislature should also determine if the drug abuse problem is caused not by sellers but by buyers, and try to eliminate it with hefty penalties on purchasers.”
— Roy Schweiker, Concordneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-201:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing
  • 2025-04-1110:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearing
  • 2025-04-2311:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearing
  • 2025-04-2510:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyLOB 202-204Public hearingcancelled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3
  2. Feb 20, 2025SenHearing: 02/20/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 10
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/06/2025, Vote 4-0; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenSen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2025-0713s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Mar 6, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0713s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 11 P. 113
  7. Apr 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/11/2025 01:30 pm LOB 202-204
  8. Apr 23, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 04/23/2025 11:00 am LOB 202-204
  9. Apr 25, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/25/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  10. Apr 30, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 04/30/2025 (Vote 14-2; RC)
  11. May 14, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  12. May 22, 2025HouseLay SB267 on Table (Rep. Harrington): MF RC 110-253 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 12
  13. May 22, 2025HouseFLAM # 2025-2330h (Rep. Rhodes): AA VV 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 15
  14. May 22, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2330h: MA RC 292-72 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 15
  15. Jun 12, 2025SenSen. Gannon Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 06/12/2025; SJ 16
  16. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2913e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 60
  17. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2913e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  18. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64
  19. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  20. Jul 29, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 07/29/2025; Chapter 260; Effective 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.