Bill > SB148

This bill establishes two new legal chapters that prevent individuals convicted of homicide from financially benefiting from their crime. The first chapter (Chapter 562-A) specifically addresses how a killer's criminal actions impact their rights to inherit, receive property, or serve in fiduciary roles related to the victim's estate. If someone is convicted of feloniously and intentionally killing another person, they automatically forfeit any inheritance rights, and any revocable provisions in wills or governing instruments are considered canceled as if the killer had died before the victim. The bill also severs joint property ownership between the killer and victim, transforming joint tenancy into equal tenancies in common. The second chapter (Chapter 507-I) requires any entity planning to pay more than $10,000 to a person convicted of homicide for profits related to the crime to notify the Department of Justice, which must then inform the victim's estate or family. Victims or their families are granted the right to sue to recover these profits within three years of discovering them. The bill aims to prevent murderers from financially benefiting from their criminal actions and provides legal mechanisms to protect the rights of victims' families. The legislation will take effect on January 1, 2026, and is estimated to have a minimal fiscal impact of less than $10,000 annually.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=1154&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB148