Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1696 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Penalties for violating summons conditions

AI-generated

relative to the issuance of a summons instead of arrest.

Makes it a misdemeanor to fail to remain of good behavior while released pursuant to a summons issued in lieu of arrest and establishes penalties for violating summons conditions.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill makes it a misdemeanor to fail to remain of good behavior while released pursuant to a summons in lieu of arrest, and provides penalties for violations of the terms of the summons.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jennifer RhodesRPrimeVice Chair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Dennis MannionRVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader

Public testimony

5 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

40% support40% oppose20% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is a do-nothing bill. Not being on good behavior is already a violation.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-2110:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-03-241:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 31
  2. Jan 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2026 11:30 am GP 159
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 11:30 am GP 159
  4. Feb 18, 2026House: Ought to Pass 02/18/2026 (Vote 11-1; CC) HC 9 P. 9
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 9
  6. Mar 5, 2026SenIntroduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 6
  7. Mar 24, 2026SenHearing: 03/24/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:50 pm; SC 11
  8. Apr 9, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 13
  9. Apr 9, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
  10. May 7, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
  11. May 7, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 39
  12. May 18, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/18/2026; Chapter 75; 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.