HB59 Relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer.
Relative to the assault of a firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or law enforcement officer.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Potential increased correctional and judicial costs to taxpayers are flagged as indeterminable but could be substantial if assault convictions rise.
Your Community
First responders and emergency medical providers gain legal protection against violence while performing their duties, potentially improving safety for workers who serve communities.
Your Freedom
Criminal penalties are enhanced for certain assault offenses, restricting liberty for those convicted but without expanding restrictions on general conduct.
Status
Signed by Governor Ayotte 05/22/2026; Chapter 79; eff.07/21/2026
Sponsor
Dennis Mannion (R)
The Short Version
This bill creates enhanced criminal penalties for assaults on firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement officers, making such assaults felonies with potential for extended prison sentences. The fiscal impact on state and local correctional systems is estimated as indeterminable, meaning potential taxpayer costs for prosecution and incarceration are unknown.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Law enforcement officers (on and off duty if assault is motivated by their employment)
- ▲ Paid, volunteer, and on-call firefighters
- ▲ Licensed emergency medical care providers
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ NH taxpayers (potential increase in prosecution, incarceration, probation and parole costs)
- ▼ County and local governments (potential indeterminable expenditure increases)
- ▼ Individuals convicted of assaults on protected classes (enhanced criminal penalties and prison terms)
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.