Bill > SB261

This bill, titled the "uniform electronic recordation of custodial interrogations act," mandates that all custodial interrogations, which are defined as questioning of a person by law enforcement officers while they are in custody and being questioned about alleged crimes, must be electronically recorded. This recording must capture the entire interrogation, including any warnings about rights and waivers of those rights. The bill establishes an "electronic equipment acquisition fund" (EEAF) to provide grants to state law enforcement agencies to purchase necessary audio and/or video recording equipment. A $50,000 appropriation is made to this fund for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, to help agencies acquire this equipment, with priority given to agencies that lack any recording equipment, followed by those with audio-only capabilities. While there are some exceptions, such as interrogations conducted in other states that comply with their laws or when an individual requests the recording to stop, statements made during unrecorded custodial interrogations will generally be inadmissible as evidence in court, unless a reasonable justification for the lack of recording is provided. The bill takes effect nine months after its passage.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1029&inflect=2