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HB 1730 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Tougher penalties for staff sexual abuse

AI-generated

(New Title) enhancing the level of offense for certain sexual offenses.

As amended, this bill reclassifies as felonies sexual contact or penetration by correctional, secure psychiatric unit, juvenile detention, or probation/parole staff with a person under their authority, removing the prior requirement that the authority be used to coerce submission.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 1, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill makes all offenses involving sexual penetration or contact against a minor under 16 years of age a felony potentially punishable by death.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Joe SweeneyRPrimeDeputy Majority Leader
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law

Public testimony

597 signed in online · 214 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

ForGeneral support for the bill

AgainstCapital punishment is morally or religiously wrong

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“My name is Chris Potter, an Episcopal deacon and President of the NH Council of Churches.…”
— The Rev. Chris Potter, Manchester · the NH Council of Churchesopposes
“We oppose the death penalty for the following reasons: It is often applied to innocent people in cases of inadequate counsel, legal errors and wrongful convictions. It does NOT deter murders, so it does not make us safer. It is applied in racially unequal ways.…”
— B Widger, Manchopposes
“The state of NH has the ability to incarcerate criminals in order to protect the public and has no need to deprive them of their lives.”
— Yolanda Goddard, Candiaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-1510:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-02-0410:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-03-191:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 33
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  3. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  4. Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0420h (NT) 02/04/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 7 P. 8
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0420h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 10
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0420h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 10
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 39
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112
  9. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 5
  10. Mar 19, 2026SenHearing: 03/19/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:20 pm; SC 10
  11. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 13
  12. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  13. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  14. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  15. May 28, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/28/2026; Chapter 97; eff. 01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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