HB1240 Relative to the apparent use of a deadly weapon during the offense of criminal threatening.
Relative to the apparent use of a deadly weapon during the offense of criminal threatening.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Fiscal note indicates indeterminate but likely increased costs for prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole borne by taxpayers and county/local governments, though no appropriation was authorized.
Your Community
Enhanced penalties for weapon-involved threats may increase safety by deterring such conduct and providing stronger protection for victims of intimidation.
Your Freedom
Residents face stricter criminal liability for threatening conduct involving apparent deadly weapons, reducing certain behaviors but potentially increasing conviction severity for borderline cases.
Status
Refer to Interim Study, Motion Adopted, Voice Vote; 04/16/2026; Senate Journal 9
Sponsor
Terry Roy (R)
The Short Version
This bill increases the criminal penalty for threatening someone while using an object that appears to be a deadly weapon from an unspecified level to a class B felony. The change aims to deter weapon-involved threats but may increase incarceration costs with indeterminate fiscal impact on state and local budgets.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Victims of criminal threats involving apparent deadly weapons, who gain stronger legal protection
- ▲ Law enforcement and prosecutors seeking enhanced penalties for weapon-involved intimidation
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Individuals charged with criminal threatening while possessing or displaying apparent (not actual) deadly weapons, who now face class B felony charges
- ▼ State and county governments bearing indeterminate increased costs for judicial processing, incarceration, probation, and parole
Connected Organizations
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.