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HB 462 · 2025 · House · Judiciary Committee

Right to sue over backyard video spying

AI-generated

establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential premises.

Establishes a private right of action against a person who installs a video imaging device on property adjoining a residence to record backyard activity in order to harass, annoy, alarm, or threaten another person.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a private right of action against a person who installs a video imaging device on property adjoining residential real property in order to video activities in the backyard of the property in order to harass, annoy, alarm, or threaten another person.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Any owner or tenant of residential real property shall have a private right of action for damages against any person who installs or affixes a video imaging device on property adjoining such residential real property:”
RSA 539:10
“The provisions of this section shall not apply to any law enforcement personnel engaged in the conduct of their authorized duties.”
RSA 539:10
“For the purposes of this section, "backyard" shall mean that portion of the parcel on which residential real property is located which extends beyond the rear footprint of the residential dwelling situated thereon, and to the side and rear boundaries of such parcel extending beyond the rear footprint of such residential dwelling.”
RSA 539:10

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Stephanie PayeurDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Gregory HillRChair· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Ellen ReadDDeputy Ranking Member· Housing
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference

Also: Rep. Tony CaplanD, Rep. Stephen PearsonR

Public testimony

19 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

89% support11% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing today to strongly support HB 472. This bill is essential to protecting the privacy and security of homeowners and residents from unwarranted surveillance intended to harass, alarm, or intimidate.…”
— Pam Boyer, Goffstownsupports
“People should not be allowed to capture or record unwarranted, nonconsensual video images of others in their own backyards. What a violation of privacy. We should be safe from threatening, harassing, bullying, annoying uses of video capture, whether or not actually posted online.…”
— Mary Jenkins, Goffstownsupports
“There is no expectation of privacy, and there is none as a matter of fact. Recording whatever is in public preserves for posterity that which was publicly factual.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

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 10, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 12, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary5:20:42–5:21:571m 15slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Judiciary23:35–25:191m 44slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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 Judiciary HJ 3 P. 11
  2. Feb 5, 2025House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/05/2025 02:30 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Feb 12, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/12/2025 02:30 pm LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 7, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/07/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  5. Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 01:00 pm LOB 206-208
  6. Mar 10, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/10/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 17 P. 20
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 37

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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