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SB 410 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

Human remains for cadaver dog training

AI-generated

relative to possession of human remains for law enforcement training purposes.

Authorizes law enforcement agencies to possess human remains, upon written consent, for use in training cadaver dogs.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · April 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes law enforcement to possess human remains, upon written consent, for the purpose of training cadaver dogs. This bill is a request of the department of safety.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

““Cadaver canine” means a dog trained to detect the scent of human remains for law enforcement purposes.”
RSA 291-B:1
“Law enforcement agencies may possess portions of human remains for cadaver canine training only under the following conditions:”
RSA 291-B:2
“Upon completion of training, all remaining portions of the human remains shall be returned to either:”
RSA 291-B:3
“Any law enforcement agency in New Hampshire that conducts training involving the possession or use of human remains for cadaver canine or related law enforcement purposes shall develop and maintain a written policy governing such activities.”
RSA 291-B:4

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Bill GannonRPrimeChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. JD BernardyRClerk· Science, Technology and Energy

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Rep. Susan PorcelliR, Rep. Laurence MinerR, Rep. Mark PearsonR

Public testimony

3 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

67% support33% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Police have no business with "corpses". Where is the human dignity in treating someone's loved-one as a piece of equipment? The humiliation and ridicule cops would cast toward the training corpse is very real, like is presently cast to dead homicide victim.…”
— 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
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0098s3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0098sadopted
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0098sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Mar 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciary16:36–23:316m 55slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0098s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0098s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0098s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety34:13–35:211m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1
  2. Jan 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:15 pm; SC 48
  3. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0098s, 01/29/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0098s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0098s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 5 P. 124
  7. Mar 18, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/18/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  8. Mar 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/18/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  9. Mar 18, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 03/18/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC)
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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