Bill > SB54

This bill modifies New Hampshire's laws regarding driving under the influence (DUI) and refusal of alcohol testing, making several key changes to penalties and administrative procedures. For first-time offenders who refuse alcohol testing, the license suspension period will increase from 180 days to one year, and for repeat offenders, the suspension period will increase from two to three years. The bill introduces a new provision allowing courts to suspend up to 180 days of a license suspension when a person pleads guilty to a DUI offense. Additionally, the bill creates a detailed new penalty structure for aggravated DWI offenses, specifically for violations under RSA 265-A:3, III, which includes mandatory fines of at least $750, a minimum 17-day county correctional facility sentence (potentially fully suspended), mandatory substance use disorder evaluation and treatment, installation of an interlock device, and a driver's license revocation of at least 18 months (potentially extending up to two years). The bill also expands the definition of prior offenses to include out-of-state equivalent violations and provides courts with additional discretion in sentencing, such as allowing random drug testing and potential sentence modifications upon compliance with treatment plans. The new provisions will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=327&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB54