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HB 1216 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Informed consent for home searches

AI-generated

relative to informed consent for law enforcement searches of houses or other property.

Extends the existing informed-consent process for warrantless vehicle searches to also cover searches of homes and other real property, requiring officers to inform occupants of their right to refuse.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill expands the statute governing informed consent for warrantless searches of motor vehicles to include real property.

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 law enforcement officer may legally conduct a search of a person's home or any other real property, or a person's motor vehicle, without a warrant [under this chapter] if the law enforcement officer expressly informs the [operator of the motor vehicle] person that:”
RSA 595-A:10
“Any refusal to consent to a search shall not constitute a basis either for probable cause to arrest the [operator] person or reasonable suspicion to detain the [operator] person;”
RSA 595-A:10
“If the [operator of a motor vehicle] person refuses to consent to a search, the law enforcement officer shall cease any further questioning concerning consent to a search.”
RSA 595-A:10
“A law enforcement officer shall document any consent to search either by the signature of the [motor vehicle operator] person on a consent-to-search form providing notice of the provisions of paragraphs I and II at the time of the consent, or by means of a video and sound recording of the consent at the time of the consent.”
RSA 595-A:10

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Buzz ScherrDPrime
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Public testimony

174 signed in online · 161 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

ForBill requires informed consent, strengthening Fourth Amendment protections

AgainstBill would expand warrantless searches of homes, violating the Fourth Amendment

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support this bill because it further protects our freedoms. Especially in the current sociopolitical context, this is an extremely important provision that I will be following closely.…”
— Nicholas Ferrigno, Newburysupports
“Strengthens Fourth Amendment protections and prevents coercive searches of homes or property.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“A warrant prevents miscarriage of the law - I do not support this bill.”
— Lauren Blanchette, Concordopposes
“There should never be an officer searching for a reason to arrest someone. They should be observing and acting accordingly with a warrant or with exigent circumstances that are absolutely necessary for the safety of the person of public.…”
— Joanna Lally, Holdernessopposes
“I am respectfully requesting that you oppose bill HB1216, for the following reasons: This bill by extending warrantless searchers to real property creates a path to violate the 4th Amendment rights of individuals.”
— Teresa Brooks, Manchesteropposes

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 13, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass12–1
    Overall
    92% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety1:34:11–1:36:101m 59slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — 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. 11
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 11:30 am GP 159
  3. Feb 13, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/13/2026 11:30 am GP 159
  4. Feb 13, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 02/13/2026 (Vote 12-1; CC) HC 10 P. 10
  5. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 15
  6. Mar 26, 2026SenWithout objection returned to the House per Senate Rule 3-21, 03/26/2026; SJ 7

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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