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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.

In the bill's words

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

“In any case in which a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a person has committed a misdemeanor or violation, the officer may issue to the person in hand a written summons in lieu of arrest.”
RSA 594:14
“This shall not apply if the peace officer has probable cause to believe that a person has committed abuse as defined under RSA 173-B:1, I, violated a temporary or permanent protective order issued under RSA 173-B or RSA 458:16, or violated stalking provisions under RSA 633:3-a.”
RSA 594:14
“You are hereby notified to appear before the .......... circuit court of the State of New Hampshire, district division, to be holden in .......... on the ........ day of .......... 20 ...... at ....... o'clock in the forenoon (afternoon) to answer to a complaint (to be filed in said court) charging you with .... in violation of the laws of the State of New Hampshire.”
RSA 594:14
“If you are charged with a class A misdemeanor or felony and you want a lawyer to represent you at the arraignment and throughout your case, but you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, you must fill out an application for court-appointed counsel and deliver it to the circuit court identified above as soon as possible.”
RSA 594:14

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass11–1
    Overall
    92% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 7, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety3:25:15–3:26:441m 29slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 24, 2026Public hearingSenate Judiciaryfrom 2:27:42located in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

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.