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New HampshireSB1402025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

SB140

Sponsored By: Regina Birdsell (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Public report every two years on domestic violence deaths

The committee publishes a public report by October 1, 2026, and every two years after on October 1 of even‑numbered years. The report explains trends in domestic violence deaths and recommends changes in law, policy, and practice to state leaders.

State review team for domestic violence deaths

The law creates a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee in the New Hampshire Department of Justice. It reviews deaths linked to domestic violence to find safety gaps and improve how agencies respond. A “domestic violence fatality” includes deaths under RSA 173‑B or RSA 631:2‑b and any death the committee finds directly or indirectly related. The Attorney General appoints members from medicine, courts, rural and urban law enforcement, prosecutors, defense, victim services, and a batterers program; the group elects a chair for a 2‑year term and may form subcommittees. The Office of Victim/Witness Assistance provides staff and coordination.

Timing and records for domestic violence reviews

A review cannot start until the criminal investigation is finished or the case is fully decided, whichever is later. If the Attorney General sees possible civil litigation, the review waits three years from the incident. The Attorney General can get records from any person or agency and share them with the committee and invited guests. Committee recipients may not share the records further. On the committee’s recommendation, the Attorney General can subpoena witnesses and records and enforce subpoenas in superior court.

Strict privacy and legal shields for reviews

Committee records and work are confidential and not public under RSA 91‑A; they cannot be used in court or investigations unless the same information exists elsewhere. Only the DOJ’s victim/witness office, the Attorney General or designee, and assigned counsel inside DOJ may access them. Members, invited guests, and DOJ staff cannot be forced to testify about committee matters and are immune from civil liability for good‑faith acts. People and agencies that share records with the committee are protected from damages. Intentionally sharing committee information is a class A misdemeanor.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Regina Birdsell

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor on 07/15/2025; Chapter 0234; Effective 07/15/2025

    7/22/2025Senate

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 58

    6/30/2025House

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18

    6/30/2025Senate

  4. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2721e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/12/2025 HJ 17

    6/16/2025House

  5. Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2721e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/12/2025); SJ 17

    6/16/2025Senate

  6. Ought to Pass: MA VV 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 4

    5/8/2025House

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass 04/23/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 23 P. 7

    5/1/2025House

  8. ==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/25/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204

    4/14/2025House

  9. Executive Session: 04/23/2025 11:00 am LOB 202-204

    4/14/2025House

  10. Public Hearing: 04/09/2025 02:30 pm LOB 202-204

    4/1/2025House

  11. Introduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 11 P. 111

    3/28/2025House

  12. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6

    3/6/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/06/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 11

    2/12/2025Senate

  14. Hearing: 02/11/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 9

    2/5/2025Senate

  15. ==CANCELLED== Hearing: 02/06/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 8

    2/5/2025Senate

  16. Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 3

    1/22/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • As Amended

    6/16/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    6/16/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    1/22/2025

    PDF

  • CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION

    PDF

  • Version adopted by both bodies

    PDF

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