HB 1595 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee
Domestic violence program and protections
AI-generatedestablishing a domestic violence program and relative to orders of protection, stalking offenses, and annulment of criminal records.
Expands judicial training requirements, establishes a domestic violence program under the judicial branch, amends the definition of domestic violence and protective order procedures, requires a lethality assessment form when domestic violence is suspected, allows victims to file safety affidavits in family court, and amends the stalking statute.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill: I. Expands judicial training requirements and establishes a new domestic violence program under the judicial branch. II. Amend the definition of domestic violence and amends the process for evaluating and serving protective orders. III. Establishes that law enforcement officers must complete a lethality assessment program (LAP) form when there is suspected domestic violence, and establishes a LAP program within the department of justice. IV. Allows for domestic violence victims to complete an affidavit to address safety concerns when filing a parenting or divorce petition in the family court. V. Amends the stalking statute to include restraining order for minors and new language to make installing electronic devices on a person or their personal property a stalking offense. VI. Amends the annulment statute to expand the list of “violent crimes.” It also requires that victims of crime be notified should a defendant file a petition for annulment and provides an opportunity for the victim to give input to the judge before the annulment is granted.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Alexis SimpsonDDemocratic Leader
- Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
- Rep. Dennis MannionRVice Chair· Judiciary
- Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
- Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
- Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
Also: Rep. Zoe ManosD, Rep. Steven KesselringR, Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Arnold DavisR, Sen. Debra AltschillerD, Sen. Tara ReardonD
Public testimony
6 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony
17% support67% oppose17% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“I oppose this legislation only for the language "if the order was not served at the time of the hearing, and shall be mailed to the defendant’s last address of record." Mailing a final protective order to a defendant's last known address does is not effective service.…”
“I oppose this bill as it looks like HB 1591 takes discretion away from the courts and risks unintended consequences.”
“Considering the abundance of domestic violence offenses that would otherwise be considered a lifetime sentence of removal of firearm rights, I would propose making domestic violence incidents only apply to felony or above convictions.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2026-01-1610:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
- 2026-02-0410:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 27
- Jan 16, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/16/2026 12:00 pm GP 159
- Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 10:00 am GP 159
- Feb 4, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 7 P. 7
- Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 9
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.