Bill > SB267

This bill increases penalties for individuals engaging in prostitution as a patron in New Hampshire by establishing a mandatory $500 fine for each conviction, which cannot be suspended or reduced, and will be forwarded to the New Hampshire human trafficking collaborative task force. The legislation also upgrades the offense of paying, agreeing to pay, or offering to pay for sexual contact or penetration from a standard misdemeanor to a class A misdemeanor, which typically carries more significant potential penalties. The bill defines sexual contact and sexual penetration by referencing existing legal definitions in RSA 632-A:1, and provides that if a defendant cannot pay the full fine immediately, the court may defer payment or establish a payment plan. While the new penalties aim to discourage prostitution and support anti-trafficking efforts, the fiscal note indicates that the bill may have indeterminable impacts on judicial and correctional systems. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, giving state agencies time to prepare for its implementation.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=1117&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB267