Bill > HB1651

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for sexual assault protective orders and enhances rights for sexual assault survivors in New Hampshire. The legislation allows victims of sexual assault to file a civil petition in circuit court to obtain a protective order, which can be granted for up to one year and potentially extended for up to five years upon showing good cause. The order can provide protection for the victim's physical, psychological, and emotional well-being, and the procedures will mirror those used in domestic violence protection orders. The bill also expands survivors' rights regarding sexual assault evidence collection kits, requiring that such kits be preserved for the longer of either the maximum statute of limitations or 20 years, and mandating that survivors be informed about the kit's results, status, and location. Law enforcement officers are empowered to make warrantless arrests for violations of these protective orders within 12 hours of an offense, with penalties ranging from a class A misdemeanor for a first offense to a class B felony for subsequent offenses. Notably, the bill stipulates that the age of the plaintiff or defendant does not prevent the court from issuing a protective order, and it includes provisions allowing attorneys representing the defendant to contact the plaintiff under specific, controlled circumstances. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2316&inflect=2