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.

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

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2210:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-02-0410:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing

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.