This bill mandates that offenders convicted of certain impaired driving laws must participate in a "qualified online victim impact panel program." The program is defined in the bill and must meet specific criteria, including 24-hour accessibility, availability in both English and Spanish, and a minimum duration of 3.5 hours. Participants are required to pay for the program themselves, and it must not incur costs to the state or counties. The program will include personal stories from victims and offenders, a system for testing comprehension, and follow-up communications to reinforce the program's lessons. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate that includes the program provider's business identification number.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to include the requirement for offenders charged with reckless driving or negligent driving, who were originally charged with more serious offenses under RSA 265-A:2 or RSA 265-A:3, to complete the victim impact program unless exceptional circumstances are determined by the court. The bill also updates penalties for reckless driving and negligent driving offenses, ensuring that those who plead guilty to lesser charges still engage in the victim impact program. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 265-A:1, 265-A:18, 265:79, 265:79-b
As Amended by the House: 265-A:1, 265-A:18, 265:79, 265:79-b
Version adopted by both bodies: 265-A:1, 265-A:18, 265:79, 265:79-b
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 265-A:1, 265-A:18, 265:79, 265:79-b