HB 153-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0495
09/08
HOUSE BILL 153-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Comtois, Belk. 7; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Bixby, Straf. 13; Rep. Kenny, Hills. 13; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Ward, Dist 8
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires the state police and the county sheriffs to ensure that each has at least one trooper or deputy sheriff trained in animal cruelty investigations and who is able to assist local law enforcement agencies with such investigations.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0495
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; The State Police; Cooperation with Other Police Forces on Animal Cruelty Cases. Amend RSA 106-B by inserting after section 11 the following new section:
106-B:11-a Cooperation with Other Police Forces on Animal Cruelty Cases. The commissioner of the department of safety shall ensure that in every county there is at least one state trooper who is trained in investigations under RSA 644:8 regarding cruelty to animals through instruction in a course at the New Hampshire police training facility, and who is able to respond to and assist local law enforcement agencies in that county with any potential investigation under RSA 644:8.
2 New Section; Sheriffs and Constables; Cooperation with Other Police Forces on Animal Cruelty Cases. Amend RSA 104 by inserting after section 6 the following new section:
104:6-a Cooperation with Local Police Forces on Animal Cruelty Cases. Each sheriff in each county shall ensure that there is at least one deputy sheriff who is trained in investigations under RSA 644:8 regarding cruelty to animals through instruction in a course at the New Hampshire police training facility, and who is able to respond to and assist local law enforcement agencies in that county with any potential investigation under RSA 644:8.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
25-0495
12/11/24
HB 153-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding.
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | None | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $10,000 - $100,000 Increase Per Year | ||||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill amends RSA 106-B and RSA 104 to compel certain members of both the New Hampshire State Police and each county sheriff’s department to receive a course of instruction provided by New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council (PSTC) to assist local police agencies in the investigation of animal cruelty cases as defined under RSA 644:8. Presently, every police recruit, during their initial police academy training receives two (2) hours of instruction regarding animal cruelty complaints. This block of instruction addresses the relevant laws and provides them with information on resources available to them to assist with such investigations. To offer a more robust and comprehensive block of instruction specific to conducting and prosecuting these types of complaints, PSTC states it would engage the services of the Department of Agriculture, local prosecuting attorneys, and subject matter experts from other sources, to include the New Hampshire Animal Control Officers Association, The New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the University of New Hampshire and/or private vendors to develop and deliver the training. At this time, PSTC states the potential costs are indeterminable as it is unknown how much potential partners would charge to help develop and deliver such training, however, estimates for the annual cost could range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Based on information provided by the Department of Safety, it is assumed any costs to the NH State Police or County Sheriff Department to attend such trainings would be absorbed in their respective normal operating budgets.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Police Standards and Training Council and Department of Safety