Bill > SB23

This bill expands the existing law on endangering the welfare of a child by adding two new provisions to the criminal statute. Specifically, the bill introduces two new subsections that broaden the definition of child endangerment: first, by making it a criminal offense to engage in conduct that places a child under 18 in danger of serious bodily injury or death, and second, by establishing criminal liability for conduct that actually results in serious bodily injury or death to a child under 18. The bill also modifies the penalty structure, creating a class A felony for actions resulting in serious bodily injury or death, and a class B felony for soliciting a child for sexual activity or placing a child in danger of serious harm. Additionally, the bill defines a "pattern" of child endangerment as committing more than one act under the existing law within a two-month period and inside a five-year window. The legislation removes the word "purposely" from the original statute, potentially broadening the scope of prosecutable actions. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2026, and may have potential impacts on the state's judicial and correctional systems.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=1052&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB23