Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 638 · 2025 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Parole eligibility for older life-sentence prisoners

AI-generated

allowing an older prisoner serving a sentence of life without parole to be eligible for parole upon meeting certain criteria.

Allows a prisoner 60 years of age or older serving a sentence of life without parole for first degree murder to become eligible for parole after serving at least 18 years and demonstrating sustained good behavior.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 would a allow a prisoner 60 years of age or older who is serving a sentence of life without parole for first degree murder to be eligible for parole when he or she has served a minimum of 18 years and demonstrated good behavior over an extended period.

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

“A person convicted of a single offense under RSA 630:1-a, but not RSA 630:1, shall be immediately eligible for release on parole when that person is:”
RSA 651-A:7-a
“A person eligible for release on parole under this section shall be accorded the same rights and process by the prison and the parole board as any inmate would have when eligible for parole.”
RSA 651-A:7-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. David MeuseDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Rep. Buzz ScherrD

Public testimony

135 signed in online · 40 wrote testimony

91% support9% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“NH has the highest rate of incarcerated than any European country. While other countries and even other states are slowly improving their prison systems, NH seems determined to punish and make life as miserable as possible.…”
— Robin Martin, Londonderrysupports
“This is a very important bill. Prison is too crowded ..why do we have to keep punishing people?”
— Kevin Martin, Londonderrysupports
“I believe it is essential to create meaningful parole opportunities for those aged 60 and above who have served at least 18 years in prison. Individuals who can demonstrate growth and rehabilitation, and who pose no threat to public safety, deserve a chance at release.…”
— Kori Karamanoogian, Bedfordsupports
“Greater than 60 years old, almost 20 years in jail, and somehow gets a pass on murder? Meanwhile has likely no support network, no way of getting a licenses or job, and is darn near old/medically unfit enough to go into the county home anyways.…”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonopposes
“This bill does no favors for convict who has missed his most work productive, reproductive years. Thrown into a world without any savings, social security earnings quarters, and inability to secure a job due to conviction.…”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“I don’t believe 60 is old enough to no longer be considered a danger. Many people at 60 are still athletic and active, and I believe this could cause dangerous situations for the public. Please don’t give murderers the chance at release simply because of their age.”
— Sarah Tabory, Barringtonopposes

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· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseRoll callInexpedient to LegislateAdopted214–127How they voted
    Overall
    63% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    186–199% yea
    Democrats
    28–12618% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 7, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety50:54–1:07:4916m 55slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor7:08:11–7:10:322m 21slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, roll call 214-127

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. 20
  2. Feb 7, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/07/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  3. Mar 14, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/14/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  4. Mar 19, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/19/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
  5. Mar 19, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 03/19/2025 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 17 P. 48
  6. Mar 19, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 214-127 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 108

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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