This bill introduces felony-level offenses for assaults against firefighters, emergency medical care providers, and law enforcement officers, specifically targeting those who act in the line of duty. It amends the Criminal Code by adding new subparagraphs to RSA 631:1 and RSA 631:2, which define the elements of first and second-degree assault when the victim is a law enforcement officer or emergency responder. The bill stipulates that knowingly or recklessly causing serious bodily injury or bodily injury to these individuals while they are performing their duties will be classified as a felony. Additionally, it allows law enforcement officers to arrest individuals without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe that such assaults have occurred.

Furthermore, the bill modifies RSA 651:6 to establish that certain crimes against law enforcement officers and emergency responders will result in extended terms of imprisonment, with specific exclusions for violations of the newly defined assault provisions. The effective date for this legislation is set for January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect the judicial and correctional systems, potentially influencing costs related to prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole for the state and local governments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 631:1, 631:2, 651:6