Committee Summary for House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (10/23/2025)

Roy, Terry(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Murray, Alissandra(Clerk)(D)[D-]2025	Rhodes, Jennifer(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Harriott-Gathright, Linda(D)[CT]2025	Proulx, Mark(R)[C+]2025	Lascelles, Richard(R)[B+]2025
Morency, Pete(R)[B]2025	Paquette, Kathleen(R)[B+]2025	Murphy, Nancy(D)[CT]2025
Newman, Ray(D)[F]2025	Meuse, David(D)[F]2025	Devoid, Ricky(R)[A-]2025
Scherr, Buzz(D)[D-]2025	Sabourin dit Choinière, Matt(R)[A-]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB15 00:01:50.479 - 9:00:22 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to incorporating hard labor as a sentencing option for capital murder and serious sexual assaults on children, defining hard labor, establishing medical exemptions and penalties for abuse thereof, providing alternative punitive measures for legitimate medical exemptions, and authorizing jury determination of hard labor in qualifying cases.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025
HB767 2025-3037H 01:18:14.480 - 10:16:46 AM	Executive Session	expanding requirements for reports to law enforcement by the department of health and human services.	Love, David(R)[B+]2025

SB15: Representative Jennifer Rhodess, State Representative for District 17 (Winchester, Richmond, Swanzey, Troy, Fitzwilliam) Support00:01:50.479 - 9:00:22 AM; Representative Rhodess introduced the replace-all amendment to Senate Bill 15, aimed at incorporating hard labor into the criminal justice system for serious crimes. She emphasized a two-year effective date for implementation to address logistical concerns. The amendment promotes productivity among inmates, drawing parallels to everyday labor like farming and construction, to reduce costs and align with New Hampshire's work ethic. Hard labor is intended as rehabilitation, with refusal resulting in a 50% sentence extension. She addressed victim support, noting it helps victims feel more whole without restoring full normalcy. Rhodess deferred detailed questions to the prime sponsor and Department of Corrections (DOC) representatives.
SB15: Jane Graham, Communications and Legislative Administrator, NH Department of Corrections Information Only00:10:38.399 - 9:09:10 AM; Jane Graham, accompanied by Nick Duffy, presented a neutral position on SB15 but highlighted significant resource concerns. She noted the need for additional staffing, vehicles, and security measures due to a 47% vacancy rate among corrections officers and a recent $25 million budget cut. Transporting higher-security inmates (C3 and above) to community work sites poses risks of escape, violence, and contraband, requiring two officers per inmate and armed supervision. An upcoming amendment would grant the commissioner flexibility to define hard labor, assess safety based on staffing, and implement rulemaking. Graham stressed the importance of security and the challenges of expanding programs without full assessment.
SB15: Nick Duffy, Director of Rehabilitative Services, NH Department of Corrections Information Only00:14:01.680 - 9:12:33 AM; Nick Duffy detailed current DOC work programs, including correctional industries (e.g., license plates, furniture, wood shop) employing about 250 men, 30 women, and 60 at the Northern Correctional Facility, plus 90 in transitional work centers. Inmates perform 35,000 hours of community service annually, such as landscaping, road work with the Department of Transportation, and shoveling hydrants in Concord, supervised by officers or trained staff. Work is earned through good behavior and is not currently punitive but rehabilitative, reducing recidivism by providing purpose and skills. Duffy noted limitations due to staffing and court approvals for lower-security (C1/C2) inmates; higher-security (C3-C5) inmates require more supervision. He discussed potential for internal hard labor jobs but emphasized safety, humane implementation, and the need for more staff to expand programs. Budget cuts reduced 17 rehabilitative positions, impacting offerings, though physical labor like forestry can aid mental health.
HB767 2025-3037H: Representative Murphy Support01:18:14.480 - 10:16:46 AM; Representative Murphy moved to introduce and adopt amendment 2025-3037H, explaining that it reflects the language discussed in the previous day's session and incorporates suggested changes, including corrections to a prior amendment. He noted that the amendment uses 'in addition to' to clarify the reference to a statute, as confirmed by Representative Lynn. He encouraged all members to support the amendment.
HB767 2025-3037H: Committee Chair Support01:18:14.480 - 10:16:46 AM; The Chair acknowledged the amendment's alignment with prior discussions, noting that the 'in addition to' phrasing ensures clarity and does not require removing the statute reference. The Chair then called for a roll call vote on adopting the amendment, and later on the motion for Ought to Pass as Amended (OTPA).
HB767 2025-3037H: Committee Members (Roll Call) Support01:19:24.560 - 10:17:56 AM; During the roll call for adopting the amendment, all members voted yes, including Representatives Rhodess, Devoid, Moreny, Potuk (or Patusk), Gagy, Harriet Gaffright (or Gathight), Muse, Newman, Murphy, Vale, Jurus, Shear, and Chairman Rank (or Right or Cher). The motion carried unanimously. A subsequent roll call for OTPA on HB767 as amended also resulted in unanimous yes votes from the same members, plus the clerk. The Chair approved the bill's placement on the consent calendar without objection.