This bill introduces felony-level offenses for assaults against firefighters, emergency medical care providers, and law enforcement officers, specifically targeting those 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 allows law enforcement officers to arrest individuals without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred, and establishes that such a finding constitutes prima facie evidence of the defendant's dangerousness.

Additionally, the bill modifies RSA 651:6 to specify that certain crimes against law enforcement officers and emergency responders will result in extended terms of imprisonment, while excluding specific violations from this provision. The effective date for the bill 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 state and local governments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 631:1, 631:2, 651:6
As Amended by the House: 631:1, 631:2, 651:6