Bill > HB159

This bill, named "The Chief Bradley Haas Mental Health Firearms Reporting Act", authorizes the state of New Hampshire to report certain mental health data to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for firearms background checks. Specifically, the bill allows reporting of individuals who have been adjudicated as not guilty by reason of insanity, found incompetent to stand trial and deemed dangerous, or involuntarily committed to a mental health facility. The legislation provides a detailed process for how this information will be reported, ensuring only specific identifiers are shared and maintaining confidentiality. The bill also establishes a mechanism for individuals to petition for restoration of their firearm rights after a specified waiting period, which requires a court hearing and an independent psychiatric examination. When a person is found to fall under these mental health categories, the court must inquire about their firearm ownership and can issue orders for voluntary relinquishment or law enforcement confiscation of firearms. Importantly, the bill will only take effect after receiving approval from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and it includes provisions to protect individuals' privacy and limit the use of submitted information strictly to firearm eligibility determinations.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0701&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB159