SB556 Including syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of special waste for purposes of solid waste management and making the disposal of such special waste a felony.
Including syringes and similar medical devices in the definition of special waste for purposes of solid waste management and making the disposal of such special waste a felony.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Concerning
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
No direct financial impact on most residents. Felony penalties carry high costs for the criminal justice system.
Your Community
Addresses real concerns about discarded needles but felony penalties for waste disposal may be disproportionate and could discourage needle exchange participation, increasing disease transmission.
Your Freedom
Making improper syringe disposal a felony is a severe penalty that could disproportionately affect people with substance use disorders and deter them from using harm reduction programs.
Status
Refer to Interim Study, Motion Adopted, Voice Vote; 02/19/2026; Senate Journal 4
Sponsor
Keith Murphy (R)
The Short Version
Would have classified improperly discarded syringes as special waste and made illegal disposal a felony. Sent to interim study. Addresses community concerns about discarded needles but felony penalties raised proportionality concerns.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Communities dealing with discarded needles
- ▲ Those seeking strong deterrents
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ People with substance use disorders facing felony charges
- ▼ Harm reduction programs whose clients may avoid services
- ▼ Criminal justice system bearing prosecution costs
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.