Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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HB 1087 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Citizen's arrest rights for private persons

AI-generated

relative to citizen's arrests by private persons.

Allows private persons to perform a citizen's arrest for certain offenses and provides immunity from liability in specified circumstances, subject to defined limitations.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows for private persons to perform a citizen's arrest of another person for certain offenses and provides immunity from liability in certain circumstances, subject to defined limitations.

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

“No private person may enter the dwelling or private property of another to effect a citizen’s arrest for a misdemeanor breach of the peace.”
RSA 594:10-b
“Entry onto private property to arrest a person for a felony may only be made if the citizen reasonably believes exigent circumstances exist that pose an imminent threat of harm.”
RSA 594:10-b
“Such entry shall be immediately reported to law enforcement, with the citizen deferring to police intervention whenever practicable.”
RSA 594:10-b
“Unauthorized entry in violation of this paragraph shall expose the citizen to criminal and civil liability.”
RSA 594:10-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Cyril AuresRPrime
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Tom MannionRAssistant Majority Whip

Also: Rep. Yury PolozovR, Rep. Michael GrangerR, Rep. Lori KorzenR, Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. Samuel FarringtonR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR

Public testimony

18 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

17% support83% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities (NHCDD) believes this bill could have a negative impact on the NH disability community.”
— Chase Eagleson, Concord · Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilitiesopposes
“I am opposed to HB 1087-FN. While I understand that codifying and clarifying citizen’s arrest law could help define legal boundaries, I am deeply concerned that this bill could increase vigilantism, particularly in today’s tense climate.…”
— Meg Cowan, Wilmotopposes
“This sounds a lot like vigilante justice and can pose lots of dangers, both from proper use and misuse of this authority.”
— Michaela Janowski, Eppingopposes

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
  • Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety1:28–2:371m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety59:02–1:00:501m 48slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor 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 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 5
  2. Jan 22, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 4, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 7 P. 6
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 8

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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