New HampshirePeople face class A misdemeanors for certain knowingly false reports to police
Under a New Hampshire law effective July 7, 2026, people can be guilty of a class A misdemeanor for knowingly giving officers certain false reports about crimes or dangerous substances.
What it does
Knowingly giving officers certain false reports about crimes or dangerous substances is a class A misdemeanor. This includes blaming someone else or reporting an event the person knows did not happen.
Argument forThe penalty could discourage knowingly false reports, giving officers more time to respond to real crimes or dangers.
Argument againstA class A misdemeanor may seem too harsh for someone who reports a possible danger while knowing they have no information about it.
More detail
A person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor for either covered type of knowingly false report to a law enforcement officer. It covers reports about another person committing a crime, a crime, or danger from explosives or other dangerous substances. To blame someone else, the person must knowingly give false information intending to make the officer believe that person committed a crime. For other covered reports, the person must know the crime or danger did not occur or know they have no information about it. This rule took effect July 7, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Enrolled (in recess of) 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 82To Governor
- May 12Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 05/08/2026; Chapter 43; eff. 07/07/2026Became Law
- Apr 28Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 04/23/2026); SJ 11Minor
- Apr 9House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-3085s (Rep. Roy): MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 8
- Jan 7Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-3085s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/07/2026; SJ 1Passed Senate
- Jan 7Committee Amendment # 2025-3085s, AA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1
- 2025
- Nov 3Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3085s, 01/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 46Minor
- May 1Rereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/01/2025; SJ 11Minor
- Apr 16Committee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 05/01/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 19
- Mar 27Hearing: 04/03/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 15
- Mar 24Introduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 9Minor
- Mar 20Ought to Pass: MA DV 198-173 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 18Passed House
- Feb 26Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Feb 26Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/21/2025 (Vote 9-6; RC)Minor
- Feb 12Executive Session: 02/21/2025 10:00 am LOB 202-204
- Jan 22Public Hearing: 01/31/2025 11:00 am LOB 202-204
- 2024
- Dec 26Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 2 P. 6Introduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety