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HB 1737 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Death penalty for child murder

AI-generated

relative to reinstating the death penalty for certain offenses against minors under 13 years of age.

Creates a new capital offense category for first- or second-degree murder and aggravated sexual assault against a child under 13, mandates a death sentence for adult offenders, and requires appeals be resolved within one year.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 defines capital offenses against a child to include certain homicide and sexual assault offenses against minors under 13 years of age, requires those convicted of such an offense to be sentenced to death, and requires any appeal to be resolved within one year of conviction.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Notwithstanding any other penalty prescribed by law, any person found guilty of a capital offense against a child, who was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense, shall be sentenced to death.”
RSA 630:1-c
“Upon conviction of a capital offense against a child, the court shall impose the death penalty by hanging, or by any other method deemed humane and expeditious by the commissioner of corrections.”
RSA 630:5-a
“Appeals shall be expedited and limited to claims of evidentiary errors or constitutional violations directly related to the guilt phase.”
RSA 630:5-a
“The family of the victim shall have the right to provide input during sentencing, including statements on the impact of the crime.”
RSA 630:5-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike BelcherRPrime
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration

Also: Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Paul TerryR

Public testimony

871 signed in online · 290 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

ForSupport for the death penalty in the worst cases

AgainstKilling is morally or religiously wrong

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Some people are not capable of rehabilitation and don't deserve our tax dollars to keep alive. See also, Adam Montgomery.”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonsupports
“I am writing to speak against reinstating the death penalty in New Hampshire – not just from an economic standpoint (which study after study proves), but from a moral standpoint (which story after story proves). I want to share one such story.…”
— John Sawyer, Manchester · The Presbyterian Church (USA)opposes
“My name is Chris Potter, an Episcopal deacon and President of the NH Council of Churches.…”
— The Rev. Chris Potter, Manchesteropposes
“We oppose the death penalty for the following reasons: It is often applied to innocent people in cases of inadequate counsel, legal errors and wrongful convictions. It does NOT deter murders, so it does not make us safer. It is applied in racially unequal ways.…”
— B Widger, Manchopposes
“Ok if presidents are not exempt from this. Release the Epstein files.”
— Margaret Konze, Pembrokeneutral

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 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 14, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Public Hearing
  • Jan 23, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety3:01:19–3:02:531m 34slocated in the stream transcript==CONTINUED== Public Hearing
  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Criminal Justice and Public Safety2:11:03–2:12:111m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — 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. 33
  2. Jan 14, 2026House==RECESSED== Public Hearing: 01/14/2026 03:30 pm GP 159
  3. Jan 23, 2026House==CONTINUED== Public Hearing: 01/23/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/04/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  5. Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 7 P. 8
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 10

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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