Committee Summary for House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (04/11/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB143 00:02:40.480 - 9:01:21 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to the impaired driver care management program and recovery residences.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2024
SB145 00:30:44.960 - 9:29:25 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) establishing an evidence shipping pilot program and providing an appropriation therefor.	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2024
SB258 01:01:39.599 - 10:00:20 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) establishing crimes related to the fraudulent use of gift cards.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[C-]2024
SB262 02:01:06.960 - 10:59:47 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the penalty for trafficking in persons under 18 years of age.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)
SB267 03:32:06.880 - 12:30:47 PM	Public Hearing	relative to the penalty for engaging in prostitution as a patron.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024
SB300 04:27:33.279 - 1:26:14 PM	Public Hearing	criminalizing the creation of child intimate visual representations.	Innis, Daniel(R)[C+]2024

SB143: Tommy O'Neal, Minority Caucus Director representing Senator Suzanne of District 5 Support00:02:40.480 - 9:01:21 AM; Tommy O'Neal introduced Senate Bill 143 on behalf of Senator Suzanne, who was unable to attend due to a family matter. He explained that the bill, requested by New Hampshire DHS, updates the impaired driving care management program (IDCMP). Key changes include the elimination of an exemption allowing multiple offenders to bypass education if they completed a program within the past five years, an 'upon completion' option for out-of-state residents to complete their education in their home state, and allowing out-of-state residents charged in New Hampshire to receive services in their home state from approved programs.
SB143: Jenny O Higgins, New Hampshire DHS Support00:05:31.440 - 9:04:12 AM; Jenny O Higgins from New Hampshire DHS supported SB143, noting that the department requested these changes to improve program efficiency. She highlighted that the amendments allow for education to be completed in an individual's home state, set timeframes for license reinstatement, and ensure continued education for additional offenses. Higgins also discussed the effectiveness of the program, mentioning the need for assessments to identify substance use disorders and the partnership between safety and behavioral health to reduce recidivism. She offered to provide recidivism rates to the committee and described the program's educational component, which requires 20 hours of instructor-led education.
SB143: Unnamed Representative Information Only00:10:26.240 - 9:09:07 AM; An unnamed representative inquired about the certification of recovery residences mentioned in the bill, specifically regarding the removal of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NAR). Jenny O Higgins explained that New Hampshire Corps, previously contracted for certification, was replaced by NHPRR after a competitive bid process. This change necessitated the bill's amendment to allow for different certifying bodies, while still adhering to SAMHSA best practice standards for recovery residences.
SB145: Senator Deborah Uler from District 24, Seacoast Support00:30:44.960 - 9:29:25 AM; Senator Deborah Uler introduced Senate Bill 145, which aims to establish a mobile evidence collection unit pilot program with a small appropriation. She mentioned her appreciation for the committee's attendance after a long day and intended to discuss the genesis and objectives of the bill.
SB145: Senator Deborah Uler, District 24, Seacoast Support00:30:44.960 - 9:29:25 AM; Senator Uler discussed the journey of Senate Bill 145, which aims to streamline the process of getting sexual assault evidence collection kits to the state crime lab more efficiently. She highlighted the case of a survivor named Meline, who experienced significant delays in the processing of her evidence kit, leading to feelings of violation and betrayal. The Senator detailed the previous limitations of New Hampshire's testing capabilities, which required sending kits to Florida, resulting in long delays. Thanks to new equipment funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, these delays have been reduced. However, the challenge now lies in transporting kits from rural police departments to the lab. SB145 proposes a 7-day deadline for kit transfer and suggests using common carriers for smaller departments. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now seeking recommendation to pass.
SB145: Pamela Kylie, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Support00:50:53.520 - 9:49:34 AM; Pamela Kylie supported SB145, emphasizing its role in ensuring timely delivery of sexual assault evidence kits to the state forensic lab. She discussed the importance of the tracking system established for these kits, which helps prevent backlogs and gives survivors control over their kits. She noted that while most kits are delivered timely, some instances have seen delays of over two months. Kylie stressed the importance of timely testing for survivors' peace of mind and the efficiency of the prosecutorial process, urging the committee to pass the bill.
SB258: Grant Bossi, Deputy Chief of Staff for the New Hampshire Senate Support01:01:39.599 - 10:00:20 AM; Grant Bossi introduced SB258 on behalf of Senator Denise Rashardi, highlighting the issue of gift card fraud where scammers tamper with gift cards, leading to financial losses for customers. He explained how the bill, amended by the Blackhawk Network and others, aims to equip law enforcement with better tools to combat this fraud. The Attorney General's Office proposed additional language to refine the bill's definitions section.
SB258: Brian Townsend, Senior Assistant Attorney General, New Hampshire Department of Justice Support01:05:06.039 - 10:03:47 AM; Brian Townsend supported SB258, explaining that it would help prosecutors charge modern gift card theft methods, including gift card skimming. He detailed the challenges of prosecuting these crimes under current laws due to difficulties in valuing gift card information. SB258 would criminalize tampering with gift card packaging and clarify the value of the theft. An amendment was proposed to ensure that only those aware of the card's fraudulent nature are charged. He also addressed questions regarding conspiracy charges and the applicability of the organized retail crime enterprise statute to the new bill.
SB258: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:11:36.000 - 10:10:17 AM; The speaker discusses the jurisdictional aspects of prosecuting gift card fraud schemes that extend beyond New Hampshire. They mention that if any part of the conspiracy occurs within the state, they can charge the entire scheme. They also note that cases involving multiple states can be turned over to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution.
SB258: Representative Muse Information Only01:12:47.679 - 10:11:28 AM; Representative Muse observes that the bill includes penalties but lacks preventive measures like signage or secure packaging, which have been implemented in other states. They inquire whether these measures would be beneficial additions to the bill.
SB258: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:13:58.159 - 10:12:39 AM; The speaker responds to Representative Muse, stating uncertainty about the effectiveness of additional preventive measures like signage and packaging. They mention that it would depend on discussions with the Attorney General's office and retailers.
SB258: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:14:26.800 - 10:13:07 AM; The speaker clarifies that the bill targets situations where the gift card or its numbers are given to someone else, whether physically or digitally. They address a question about the card needing to be loaded by a purchaser before being used fraudulently.
SB258: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:15:23.679 - 10:14:04 AM; The speaker discusses compensation for victims of gift card fraud, explaining the concept of restitution in criminal law, which ensures victims are reimbursed for their actual losses after prosecution.
SB258: Representative Newman Information Only01:16:21.840 - 10:15:02 AM; Representative Newman provides an overview of the gift card fraud process, describing how scammers tamper with cards at stores, steal the cards, or repackage them after obtaining the PIN numbers. They explain how consumers are affected when they load money onto these tampered cards.
SB258: Curtis Bard, President CEO of the New Hampshire Retail Association Support01:19:51.520 - 10:18:32 AM; Curtis Bard expresses strong support for SB258 and the amendment proposed by the Attorney General's office. He provides a graphic example of how gift card theft occurs and mentions a recent prosecution in New Hampshire. He also discusses the prevalence of this crime along the I95 corridor and how New Hampshire's sales tax-free status makes it a target. Bard addresses questions about security measures, the role of Blackhawk Network, and the voluntary reimbursement practices by retailers.
SB258: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:24:46.880 - 10:23:27 AM; The speaker questions the availability of gift cards at checkout and in unattended racks, suggesting more security measures by retailers. They express concern about New Hampshire being a target due to its lack of sales tax.
SB258: Curtis Bard, President CEO of the New Hampshire Retail Association Information Only01:25:33.520 - 10:24:14 AM; Curtis Bard responds to the question about gift card availability, explaining their popularity and convenience for customers. He mentions the balance between customer service and security, noting that retailers do not want to lock up gift cards due to workforce challenges. He also discusses the voluntary nature of retailer reimbursements to victims and the different types of gift cards.
SB258: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:30:06.800 - 10:28:47 AM; The speaker discusses how scammers are caught through cooperation between loss prevention, law enforcement, and prosecutors. They mention that retailers focus on larger activities and share general methods used by scammers, such as direct theft, price swapping, and receipt fraud.
SB258: Representative New Information Only01:31:38.719 - 10:30:19 AM; Representative New raises concerns about proving gift card fraud, especially for consumers who might have discarded their receipt or received the card as a gift. They question how to track such fraud without large-scale involvement.
SB258: Unknown Speaker Information Only01:32:33.920 - 10:31:14 AM; The speaker explains that most stores give store credit rather than cash for returns to track fraudulent activities. They mention that larger groups are targeted by loss prevention and law enforcement through shared information and recognition of serial returners.
SB262: Senator Victoria Sullivan, representing District 18, Manchester Wards 5-9 and the town of Bedford Support02:01:06.960 - 10:59:47 AM; Senator Victoria Sullivan introduces Senate Bill 262FN, which aims to increase the minimum and maximum penalties for child sex traffickers in New Hampshire. She explains that the current penalties are lower than other New England states and the federal standard. The bill proposes increasing the minimum from 7 to 18 years and the maximum from 30 years to life. She highlights the increasing problem of child trafficking, including recent arrests in New Hampshire, and emphasizes the need to send a strong message against such crimes.
SB262: Pamela Kylie, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Support02:05:24.000 - 11:04:05 AM; Pamela Kylie, representing the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, expressed support for SB262FN, which aims to increase penalties for trafficking children. She highlighted the complexity of human trafficking and the importance of comprehensive state policies that protect victims and penalize crimes as an effective deterrent. Kylie also mentioned the recent passage of HB 405, aimed at addressing trafficking in illicit massage businesses. She stressed the importance of aligning New Hampshire's policies with national best practices and neighboring states. As part of the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force, she discussed the multidisciplinary approach to tackling human trafficking across the state, noting the passage of strong anti-trafficking laws in the past decade. Kylie provided statistics on trafficking victims in New Hampshire, emphasizing the need for increased penalties to prevent this crime.
SB267: Senator Donovan Fenton, District 10 Support03:32:06.880 - 12:30:47 PM; Senator Donovan Fenton introduced SB267, aimed at combating human trafficking and exploitation in New Hampshire. The bill proposes a mandatory $500 fine for individuals engaging in prostitution as patrons, with the funds directed to the Department of Justice to support the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force. The legislation seeks to deter demand for prostitution, thereby reducing the market for human exploitation. An amendment in the Senate upgraded the penalty to a class A misdemeanor and ensured the funds would be used effectively by the Task Force. Fenton emphasized the importance of addressing human trafficking locally and urged the committee to support the bill, highlighting its role in holding buyers accountable and supporting survivors.
SB267: Abby Fabashi, New Hampshire resident, co-founder of Empowered Network Support03:35:27.279 - 12:34:08 PM; Abby Fabashi supports Senate Bill 267, emphasizing the importance of addressing the demand side of human trafficking. She co-founded Empowered Network to help survivors of sex trafficking achieve personal and financial self-sufficiency. She highlighted the average age of girls being trafficked in the U.S. at 13 years old and stressed the role of buyers in perpetuating the market. She likened the proposed fine for buying sex to that of a speeding ticket, suggesting it should be at least as severe.
SB267: Stacy Trangali, advocate from Massachusetts, survivor of human trafficking Support03:37:15.279 - 12:35:56 PM; Stacy Trangali, a survivor of human trafficking from Massachusetts, supports SB267. She shared her personal story of survival and the ongoing struggle with trauma post-escape. She stressed the importance of addressing the demand for sex trafficking, mentioning her experiences with a Boston police officer as a regular buyer. She emphasized the need for healing and the significance of supporting legislation that targets buyers to help prevent such exploitation.
SB267: Rebecca Calleri, attorney and policy analyst Oppose03:40:07.279 - 12:38:48 PM; Rebecca Calleri, an attorney specializing in prostitution and trafficking laws, opposes the amendment to SB267 that escalates penalties for clients of adult consensual sex work. She argues that this amendment diverts resources from addressing actual human trafficking and creates safety issues for sex workers by making it harder for them to screen clients. She responded to questions about the difficulty in determining consent and the impact of the law on minors, emphasizing the need to focus resources on genuine trafficking cases.
SB267: Audrey Morrisy, survivor of the commercial sex industry, from Massachusetts, My Life My Choice organization Support03:51:06.160 - 12:49:47 PM; Audrey Morrisy, a survivor and advocate from Massachusetts, supports SB267. She shared her experiences in the commercial sex industry and the lack of accountability for buyers. She emphasized the need to use fines from buyers to fund survivor services, highlighting the low fines for crimes against minors and adults. She stressed the importance of addressing the demand side of trafficking to prevent exploitation, particularly for women of color and those impacted by poverty.
SB267: Lauren Hirs, national director of World Without Exploitation Support03:55:34.880 - 12:54:15 PM; Lauren Hirs, representing World Without Exploitation, supports SB267 strongly. She discussed her background as a prosecutor in New York City, dealing with sex trafficking cases. She emphasized the importance of targeting sex buyers to reduce demand and fund survivor services. She highlighted the power imbalance and the violence inherent in prostitution, advocating for a legal shift to burden those exploiting others rather than the exploited.
SB267: Trisha Nalu, Erotic Labors Alliance of New England Oppose03:58:53.680 - 12:57:34 PM; Trisha Nalu, a certified sex educator, intimacy coordinator, and co-founder of the Erotic Labors Alliance of New England, expressed opposition to SB267. She argued that the bill would harm the sex worker community by shifting legal risks solely onto patrons, which could lead them to refuse identity verification, thereby forcing sex workers into riskier behaviors. Nalu emphasized the importance of distinguishing between adult commercial sexual activity and human trafficking, noting that patrons who engage with consenting adults might also be able to identify and report trafficking victims. However, the fear of penalties under SB267 could prevent them from doing so. She also mentioned the support services provided by her alliance, which could be jeopardized if she were to be mistakenly identified as a patron under the new law.
SB267: Trisha Grant, CEO of a nonprofit Support04:02:12.760 - 1:00:53 PM; Trisha Grant, a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation and CEO of a nonprofit, expressed strong support for SB267. She shared her personal experience of being trafficked across New England, including New Hampshire, and highlighted the need for policies that address the demand for sex and support survivors. Grant discussed the success of a survivor model in Maine and a diversion program for men caught buying sex, emphasizing the importance of changing how exploitation is addressed. She believes SB267 can help build organizations that support survivors and work with law enforcement to target sex buyers.
SB267: Dr. Stacy Reed Barnes, World Without Exploitation, Stacy Joy Consulting LLC Support04:05:43.279 - 1:04:24 PM; Dr. Stacy Reed Barnes, a survivor of human trafficking and a frontline provider, strongly supported SB267. She highlighted the bill's potential to expand access to trauma-informed, harm-reduction centered services for survivors and to foster cross-system collaboration. Dr. Reed Barnes emphasized the importance of including those with lived experiences in shaping solutions and stressed that responding with care, dignity, and resources can lead to significant life changes for survivors. She advocated for the bill's passage for the safety of survivors and the betterment of humanity.
SB267: Crystal Dubois, national expert on human trafficking Oppose04:08:29.720 - 1:07:10 PM; Crystal Dubois, a national expert on human trafficking since the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, opposed SB267. She clarified that the disagreement among speakers was not about ending human trafficking but about the impact of the bill on consenting adults engaging in private sexual transactions. Dubois strongly supported existing human trafficking laws and law enforcement's role in fighting trafficking but argued that SB267 would divert attention and resources from actual trafficking victims to consenting adults. She cited data from her work at the sex workers project, suggesting that clients play a crucial role in helping trafficking victims escape, which could be hindered by the bill's penalties.
SB267: Audrey Dudy, Safe Exit Initiative Support04:12:31.199 - 1:11:12 PM; Audrey Dudy, a survivor of prostitution and trafficking and co-executive director at Safe Exit Initiative, spoke in support of SB267. She emphasized the need to hold buyers accountable as they fuel the demand for sex trafficking and perpetrate most of the violence in the sex trade. Dudy shared her personal experiences, highlighting the violence she endured from buyers and the psychological impact it had on her. She stressed the importance of fines to generate funds for services for those involved in the sex trade and to educate buyers about the harms of the trade. She believes that passing the bill would send a strong message about the consequences of buying sex and would invest in the future of survivors.
SB267: Ava Ambrose Oppose04:14:53.680 - 1:13:34 PM; Ava Ambrose, a lifelong resident of New Hampshire and an activist for sex workers, opposed SB267. She argued that the bill would negatively impact women's ability to screen clients, as clients would be reluctant to provide identifying information crucial for safety. Additionally, she claimed that the bill would hinder efforts to combat trafficking because clients who suspect trafficking would be deterred from coming forward due to the risk of jail time.
SB267: Michael Shively, Researcher Support04:15:42.520 - 1:14:23 PM; Michael Shively, a researcher with extensive experience studying sex buyers, supported SB267. He argued that the commercial sex market is inherently harmful and that the only way to make it safe is to eliminate it. Shively presented evidence from his research, including the average age of entry into the sex trade being as a minor and the high mortality rate associated with the trade. He criticized the arguments against the bill, associating them with calls for decriminalization which he believes would increase danger. He emphasized the effectiveness of arresting and fining buyers, as well as educating them, citing examples from other states where such measures reduced recidivism and generated funds for victim services.
SB267: Pamela Kylig, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Support04:24:21.920 - 1:23:02 PM; Pamela Kylig, public policy specialist at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, supported SB267. She highlighted the importance of the fines funding the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force, which has been underfunded despite its critical role in education, prevention, and victim support. Kylig mentioned the extensive training and outreach efforts of the task force and the significant number of human trafficking victims assisted by crisis centers across the state.
SB267: Pamela Kylig, New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Support04:24:21.920 - 1:23:02 PM; Pamela Kylig expressed support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts across the state to address human trafficking. She mentioned being open to discussing exceptions for buyers who help identify traffickers, but highlighted the need to avoid creating gray areas or unintended consequences. She concluded by hoping the committee would support the bill.
SB300: Grant Aosi, Deputy Chief of Staff for the New Hampshire Senate Support04:27:33.279 - 1:26:14 PM; Grant Aosi introduced Senate Bill 300 on behalf of Senator Dan Inis, highlighting a case where AI was used to undress high school soccer players without violating any laws. The bill aims to make it a class B felony to create visualizations of minors in an intimate manner using AI. Aosi deferred to law enforcement for further details and expressed support for the bill.
SB300: Unnamed Speaker Information Only04:28:33.800 - 1:27:14 PM; The speaker addressed concerns raised during Senate hearings about potential unintended consequences of the bill. They discussed the possibility of an amendment to clarify that existing statutes cover parents posting pictures of their children on social media. They emphasized that SB300 specifically targets AI-generated images and expressed confidence that concerns have been addressed.
SB300: Unnamed Speaker Information Only04:30:21.199 - 1:29:02 PM; The speaker raised concerns about a provision in the bill that might suggest a parent could consent to their child being exploited. They clarified that such conduct would be covered under current law, and the bill aims to fill a gap specifically related to AI-generated images. They also questioned the definition of 'child' in the bill, suggesting it might need clarification.
SB300: Unnamed Speaker Information Only04:31:16.000 - 1:29:57 PM; The speaker discussed a previous bill that broadened the statute around disseminating non-consensual sexual images to include synthetic images. They questioned whether the current law already covered the issue addressed by SB300, noting that Senator Inis believed it did not based on a constituent's case.
SB300: Barb Patch, Marramac, New Hampshire, Director of All Girls Allowed and representative of the New Hampshire Traffic Free Coalition Support04:32:34.080 - 1:31:15 PM; Barb Patch strongly supported SB300, emphasizing the harm caused by deep fake nudes and other intimate visual representations of minors. She cited various studies and statistics to illustrate the prevalence and impact of this issue, including its presence in schools and the emotional toll on victims. Patch urged the committee to pass the bill to protect children from exploitation and abuse.
SB300: Bill Brightite, Major with New Hampshire State Police Support04:40:43.600 - 1:39:24 PM; Major Bill Brightite expressed general support for the bill, noting that it closes a loophole in statutes related to child exploitation. He mentioned ongoing work on potential amendments, particularly regarding language about parental consent. Brightite confirmed that if minors commit the offense, it would be handled through the juvenile system.
SB300: Steven Andris, Attorney, New Hampshire Information Only04:44:02.718 - 1:42:43 PM; Steven Andris, an attorney with 24 years of experience as a prosecutor, discussed the implications of SB300 on First Amendment rights. He highlighted that while child pornography is not protected under the First Amendment, the bill extends to 'intimate visual representations of children,' which could include non-sexual images such as a baby in a bathtub. He expressed concerns about the bill's broad definition, which might criminalize common and innocent photographs. Andris suggested that the bill's language regarding parental consent could be problematic, especially in cases of parental exploitation. He proposed replacing the parental consent clause with language from existing statutes that refer to 'purient interest' to ensure the bill's constitutionality and to cover legitimate medical or law enforcement photography without consent.
SB300: Sam Garland, Senior Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice Support04:53:26.000 - 1:52:07 PM; Sam Garland confirmed the Department of Justice's support for the current language in SB300, emphasizing the importance of the parental consent provision to avoid First Amendment challenges. He acknowledged concerns raised by stakeholders and the potential need for amendments to address these issues without compromising the bill's intent. Garland committed to working with state police and other stakeholders to refine the language if necessary, but noted they were not prepared to propose an amendment at that time.

Roy, Terry(Chairman)(R)[B]2024	Murray, Alissandra(Clerk)(D)[D-]2024	Rhodes, Jennifer(V Chairman)(R)[B]2024
Harriott-Gathright, Linda(D)[CT]2024	Proulx, Mark(R)[B]2024	Lascelles, Richard(R)[B+]2024
Morency, Pete(R)	Paquette, Kathleen(R)	Murphy, Nancy(D)[CT]2024
Newman, Ray(D)[CT]2024	Meuse, David(D)[CT]2024	Devoid, Ricky(R)
Newell, Jodi(D)[D-]2024	Scherr, Buzz(D)	Valerino, Brian(R)
Sabourin dit Choinière, Matt(R)