HB1696 Relative to the issuance of a summons instead of arrest.
Relative to the issuance of a summons instead of arrest.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Reduces costly jail bookings and processing for minor offenses, saving taxpayer money on incarceration.
Your Community
Reduces unnecessary incarceration for minor offenses, keeping people with jobs and families while still holding them accountable.
Your Freedom
Protects individual liberty by minimizing unnecessary deprivation of freedom for minor offenses.
Status
Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/18/2026; Chapter 75; eff. 01/01/2027
Sponsor
Jennifer Rhodes (R)
The Short Version
Addresses when police should issue a summons (court date) instead of making a physical arrest for certain offenses. Using summonses for minor offenses reduces unnecessary incarceration and the collateral consequences of arrest.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ People charged with minor offenses
- ▲ Taxpayers saving on jail costs
- ▲ Families of those who would otherwise be unnecessarily jailed
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Those concerned about immediate community safety from released individuals
Bill statuses as of May 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.