The "Chief Bradley Haas Mental Health Firearms Reporting Act" seeks to improve the reporting of mental health data for firearms background checks and establish protocols for the confiscation of firearms following certain mental health court proceedings. The bill amends RSA 159-D:1 to incorporate a mental health record check into the firearms sale process and introduces a new chapter, RSA 159-G, which empowers the New Hampshire judicial branch and the department of safety to report individuals disqualified from firearm possession due to mental health adjudications to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The bill also outlines the court's responsibilities in notifying individuals about their firearm possession status and provides options for voluntary relinquishment or confiscation of firearms, while ensuring the confidentiality of reported information.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new chapter, Chapter 159-H, allowing individuals with certain mental health adjudications to petition for relief from firearm disabilities after specified time frames. It details the petition process, which includes an independent psychiatric examination and a court hearing to assess public safety risks. The court must grant relief if it finds clear and convincing evidence that the individual does not pose a danger. The bill also requires the attorney general to seek federal approval for compliance with federal law and includes a contingency clause for the provisions to take effect only upon receiving such approval. Furthermore, it repeals RSA 126-AA:2, VI, related to NICS submissions, and allocates $1 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, to cover independent psychiatric evaluations, although overall expenditures are expected to rise due to increased judicial workload.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 159-D:1, 126-AA:2