This bill amends RSA 106-H:14, II, which pertains to the enhanced 911 system, to specify the conditions under which 911 records are not considered public records and may be released. The bill outlines that the division may release information or records on a case-by-case basis to law enforcement agencies for investigative purposes and to the Department of Environmental Services for the purpose of estimating the location of wells and maintaining an inventory of drinking water sampling sites. The bill also introduces a new provision that allows the division to release records to the caller or their legal representative, or to the subject of the call or their legal representative, with written authorization, solely for the purposes of investigation in anticipation of litigation or for use in a civil court proceeding.

The bill includes insertions and deletions in the legal language. The word "and" is deleted after the clause allowing release to the Department of Environmental Services. New language is inserted to add a clause (c), which permits the release of records to the caller or subject of the call or their legal representatives for legal investigations or civil proceedings. The records released under this section are to be marked "limited purpose release" and are not to be redisclosed beyond the investigation or civil proceeding. It also states that records subject to a criminal investigation will only be released after the criminal matter is concluded and that the state and its agencies or employees shall not be civilly liable for any improper use or release of 911 records. The act shall take effect 60 days after its passage, with an effective date of September 26, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 106-H:14
As Amended by the House: 106-H:14
Version adopted by both bodies: 106-H:14
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 106-H:14